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JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS 

i-^^ . OF THE 

IN THF 

STATE OF MISSOURI, 
Begun and held at the City of St, Louis, on the 6th of May, 1839. 



At the first meeting of the "Board of Internal Improvements," in the State 
of Missouri, convened according to law, by appointment of the Governor, at 
the City of Saint Louis, on Monday, the 6th day of May, in the year of our 
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, the following Directors, duly 
appointed and commissioned, appeared, and took their seats, to wit: 
George C. Sibley, of St. Charles county. 
Hugh Meredith of Monroe county. 
Benj. F. Robinson, of Cole county. ."^ 

Absent — Cornelius Davy, of Jackson county, and Robert White, of Scol^ 
county. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, Geo. C. Sibley was appointed temporary Chair- 
man, and Mr. J. O. Gamble, temporary Secretary. 

Mr. Meredith then moved an adjournment till 10 o'clock, to-morrow morn- 
ing, to wait the arrival of Messrs. Davy and White, which was agreed to, and 
the meeting was adjourned accordingly. 'M'i;. 

Tuesday, May Ifth. 

The meeting as adjourned yesterday, took place this morning at lO o'clock. 

Present — The same Directors as on yesterday. Messrs. Davy and White 
not yet appearing to take their seats, it was moved by Mr. Meredith, as an 
act of courtesy to those gentlemen, to adjourn till 10 o'clock to-morrow morn- 
ing, and then proceed to organise the Board, according to law, which motion 
was agreed to, and the adjournment took place accordingly. 

Wednesday morning, May 8th. 

Messrs. Sibley, Meredith, and Robinson, the Directors present on yesterday 
and the day before, met again this morning pursuant to adjournment. Messrs. 
Davy, of Jackson, and White, of Scott, still absent. 

The three Directors present, being "a quorum for the transaction of busi- 
ness," determined unanimously, to proceed to the organization of the Board, 
and to the transaction of business without any further delay; nothing having 
been heard from the two absent Directors. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, and the concurrence of Mr. Robinson, Geo. C. 



Sibley, the Director from St. Charles county, was duly appointed President of 
the Board for two years, and immediately took his seat as President. 

Messrs. Sibley, Meredith, and Robinson, then filed their official oaths respec- 
tively, (taken before the Mayor of St. Louis,) as required by law, which were 
ordered to be recorded, and then transmitted to the Secretary of State. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, the Board proceeded to determine by lot, as by 
law required, the time which each Director now appointed, shall hold his olnce; 
and it was in due form determined, that Hugh Meredith, Robert White, and 
Cornelius Davy, shall each hold his office for th^ term of two years — and that 
Benjamin F.Robinson and George C. Sibley shall each hold his office for four 
years. 

The President laid before the Board communications in writing from the 
Governor, containing his nominations of Wilham PL C. Bartlett, and Wilham 
H. Morell, one of whom, at the option of the Board, to be Chief Engineer of 
the State of Missouri. The Board, on motion of Mr. Meredith, proceeded im- 
mediately to consider the said nominations. Of Mr. Bartlett's wishes in rela- 
tion to this appointment, the Board were entirely uninformed. 

Mr. Morell signified in person, his willingness to accept, and presented such 
testimonials of his qualifications for the office of Chief Engineer, as were en- 
tirely satisfactory to the Board, whereupon, on motion of Mr. Robinson, thf- 
Board unanimously consented to the appointment of Wilham H. Morell, to b 
Chief Engineer of the State of Missouri; and directed that the President ir. • 
form the Governor of said confirmation. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, the Board unanimously agreed to fix the salar 
of the Chief Engineer at tico thousand dollars per annum, payable quarterly 
from this day, and recommend the same to the Governor for his approval. 

Adjourned till 9 o'clock, to-morrow morning. 



Thursday, May 9th. 

The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, President, Meredith, and Robinson. 

Mr. Cornelius Davy, of Jackson county, a Director duly appointed and com- 
missioned, appeared, filed his official oath, and took his seat as a member of the 
Board. Mr. White, of Scott, still absent and unheard from. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, John PL McMillan, of St. Louis, was appointed 
Secretary of the Board of Directors, who after being duly qualified, entered im- 
mediately upon the duties of said office. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that the Secretary 
of this Board shall recoi^e as compensation for his services during the sessions 
of the Board,^ye dollars per day, when in attendance, and also an allowance 
of one hundred dollars per annum for office rent and extra services. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered that the Secretary procure such 
books and stationery as are requisite for recording the proceedings of the Board 
in a permanent manner, for keeping the accounts and other records by law re- 
quired, and such as may be necessary under the direction of the Board and Pre- 
sident, to the transaction of the business of the Board from time to time. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is ordered by the Board, that the Chief Engi- 
neer shall have authority, in conjunction with the Commissioners of the Board 
respectively, to employ in his Department, two assistant Engiaeers — two Sur- 
veyors — two Rodman — two Flagmen — four Chainmen — four Axemen— two 
Cooks, and such other aids as may be necessary, having a due regard to eco- 
nomy, to promote the service; and he shall be authorised to allow the following 
jnaximum rates of compensation for faithful services, to wit: 



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To the assistant EngineeTs— twelve hundred and fifty doUan per annum. 

To the Surveyors — sixtxj dollars per month. 

To the ^odMi^VL— forty-five dollars per month. 

To the Flagmen — thirty dollars per month. 

To the Chainmen, Axemen, Cooks, and other common hands, twenty dollars 
per month. 

And the said Chief Engineer shall also be authorised in conjunction as afore- 
said, to procure all the instruments, implements, tents, camp furniture, trans- 
portation, &c., that may from time to time be necessary to advance the ser- 
vice. 

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock. 



Friday, May lOth. 

The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, President, Meredith, Bavy, and Robinson. Mr. 
White still absent. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that the sum of one 
thousand dollars be placed in the hands of Wm. H. Morell, the Chief Engineer, 
for the purchase of such instruments, implements, stationery, tents. &c., ne- 
cessary to fit out and organise for active service, tv^o field parties for making 
surveys and reconnoisances, under the superintendence of such Commissioner 
or Commissioners as tsiis Board may direct. 

On motion of x^lr. Meredith, it is ordered by the Board, that Cornelius Davy 
be appointed Commissioner of this Board, to superintend the survey and re- 
connoisance of the North Grand River. I*hat B. F. Robinson be appomted 
Commission^A^ to superintend the survey of the Osage River. That Hugh Me- 
redith be appointed Commissioner to superintend the survey of Salt River. 
Tliat Geo. C. Sibley and Robert White be appointed Commissioners of the Board 
to superintend the survey and reconnoisance of the Merrimec River, and a 
route for a Rail Road from the City of St. Louis to the Iron Mountain. 

That the said Sibley and White may make such division of the labor hereby 
assigned to them, as they may agree upon. And that each Commissioner be 
autiiorised' to call in the advice and assistance of one or more of his colleagues, 
when he may deem it necessary and expedient. 
^ On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that each Commis- 
sioner appointed by the foregoing order, is hereby authorised to contract for, 
and purciiase all such materials, provisions, labor, (fcc, as may be necessary to 
the completion of the surveys and reconnoisances respectively assigned to him. 
On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is ordered by the Board, that the Chief Engi# 
neer shall be instructed to proceed without delay to organise the two field par- 
ties, already ordered by the Board; one of which he shall place on active ser- 
vice immediately, on the Salt River survey and reconnoisance — and the other 
to be immediately placed on service in making the survey, <fec., of a route for 
a Rail Road from St. Louis to the Iron Mountain. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that out of the 
Internal Improvement fund, the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars be 
entrusted to Hugh Meredith, the Commissioner appointed by this Board to su- 
perintend the survey and reconnoisance of Salt River. That the sum oi three 
thousand and five hundred dollars ^ be entrusted to Benjamin F. Robinson, the 
Commissioner appointed to superintend the survey and reconnoisance of the 
Osage River. 

That the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars be entrusted to Cornelius 



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Davy, the Commissioner appointed by this Board to superintend the surrey and 
reconnoisance of the North Grand River. 

That the sum of three thousand dollars be entrusted to Robert White, the 
Commissioner appointed by the Board to superintend the survey, &c., of the 
Merrimec River. 

And that the sum oi Jive thousand dollars be entrusted to George C. Sibley, 
the Commissioner appointed by this Board to superintend the survey and re- 
connoisance of a route for a Rail Road from the City of St. Louis to the Iron 
Mountain. Provided that the contingent expenses of the Board, (including 
the compensation of the Secretary of the Board, and the books and stationery 
necessary for his office,) shall be paid out of the funds entrusted to the said G. 
C. Sibley. 

The Board then adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. 



Saturday f Wth May, 

The Board met according to adjournment, 

Present — All the Directors, except Mr. White. 

On motion of Mr. Davy, it is ordered by the Board, that in order to obtain 
from the Treasury the Internal Improvement fund, there must be an order of 
this Board authorising the President thereof to make requisition from time to 
time, as may be specially ordered by the Board, on the Auditor of Public Ac- 
counts, in the form following. 

"To the Auditor of Public Accounts for the State of Missouri. 

Sir : You are hereby authorised and required to issue your toarrant on the 

Treasurer of the State of Missouri, in favor of for the sum of 

to be paid out of money in the Treasury, appropriated by an act of 

the General Assembly of the State of Missown, entitled ^^An act supplementary 
to an act, entitled an act to establish a General System of Internal Improve- 
ments in the State of Missouri,^* approved February VZth, 1839. The said 
payment to be made in conformity to law. By order of the Board of Internal 
Improvements.''^ 

And on motion of Mr. Davy, it is further ordered by the Board, in reference 
to the foregoing order, that the President issue his requisitions on the Auditor 
of Pubhc Accounts in favor of each of the acting Commissioners of the Board, 
and in favor of the Chief Engineer; for the several sums of money assignedand 
entrusted to them respectively, for the purposes specified, by the two orders of 
the Board adopted on yesterday, on motions of Mr. Robinson. 

And also, that the President issue his requisition on the Auditor of Public 
Accounts, quarterly, in favor of Wm. H. Morell, the Chief Engineer, for the 
amount of his quarter's salary, as the same falls due. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is ordered by the Board, that the office of the 
Chief Engineer shall be permanently located at the City of Jefferson. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is ordered by the Board, that every Director of 
the Board be authorised and required to devote such attention to each respect- 
ive survey and reconnoisance ordered, as will satisfy him of the proper pro- 
gress thereof. 

On motion of Mr. Davy, the Board appointed Mr. B. F. Robinson to pre- 
pare By-Laws for the government of the Board, and those under its control* 

Adjourned till Monday morning, 9 o'clock. 



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Monday inor-nhtgy May 13///. 

The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 

Present — G. C. Sibley, President, C. Davy, H. Meredith, and B. F. Robinson, 
Absent, R. White. 

Mr. B. F, Robinson, who had been appointed on Saturday to prepare By- 
Laws, &c. made his report to the Board, wiiich after discussion and some 
• amendments was adopted, as follows: 

1st. Until otherwise provided, the Board shall hold its two stated meetings 
in each year, as bylaw required, in the City of St. Louis, on the first Mondays 
of May and September. 

2d. At all the meetings of the Board, the President shall take the chair at 
the time previously appointed, and on the motion of any member, the names of 
the abser: es shall be noted on the minutes. 

3d. T e Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board. He shall keep 
correct -linutes of all its proceedings, and record the same, together with the 
names of the members present, and their places of residence, in a book to be 
called a journal. 

4th. All motions and propositions offered to the Board, shall be submitted in 
writing by the mover, and the vote of each member upon any question, shall 
be viva voce, and entered on the minutes, if desired by any member of the 
Board. 

5th. On motion of any member, the Board may at any time resolve itself 
into an interlocutory committee, and when any measure shall have been thus 
prepared, the President shall call to order, and the Board proceed thereon, in 
regular parliamentary method. 

6th. It shall be the duty of the Secretary, to record in a, well bound book, to 
be kept for that purpose, all the bonds and official oaths by law required to be so 
recorded. And after such bonds and oaths shall be recorded as aforesaid, the 
Secretary shall transmit the originals without delay, to the Secretary of State. 

7th. The Secretary of the Board shall keep his office in the City of St. Louis, 
until otherwise directed. The journal of the proceedings of the Board, and all 
other books, &c., pertaining to said office, shall at all times be open to the in- 
spection of the President and Directors, the Governor, xv] embers of the Gene- 
ral Assembly, and such other persons as they may designate — and to no others. 

8th. The President shall examine and correct the minutes of the proceedings 
of the Board, and see that they be correctly and fully recorded in the journal 
in proper order and form, and he shall, from time to time, sign the same on the 
journal. 

9th. In case a vacancy should occur in the office of Secretary of the Board, 
by death, resignation, removal from the county in which the meetings of the 
Board are held, or otherwise, the President shall appoint some suitable person 
to act as Secretary until the next meeting of the Board; who shah take charge 
of the office, books, papers, and all other appendages thereof, and receive for 
his services the same rates of compensation allowed the Secretary appointed 
by the Board. 

10th. The President shall, without delay, certify officially to the Goverhor, 
all such orders and resolutions of the Board, as require his concurrent action 
therein. And the President shall generally do and perform all such duties as 
may be requisite to carry into effect the orders and resolutions of the Board. 

11th. In order that the Board of Directors may be enabled promptly and 
fully to make their annual settlements with the Auditor, as the law directs; it 
shall be required rigidly, of all persons who may at any time be entrusted with 
any of the public money under the direction of the Board, to render their ac- 



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©ounts to the Board at their regular meetings on the first Mondays in May and 
September every year; which accounts shall exhibit full and correct statements, 
based upon sufficient vouchers, (in duplicate,) specifying, minutely, every expen- 
diture, its object, use, &c. All which accounts and vouchers shall be filed in 
the office of the Secretary of the Board of Directors. 

iSth. The Chief Engineer shall lake and subscribe an oath faithfully and im- 
partially to discharge his duties: And he shall administer a like oath to his as- 
sistants and other persons employed under his authority, and certify the same 
to the Beard. 

Mr. ISi eredith being indisposed, asked and obtained leave of absence to return 
home in a boat ready to leave. 

The Board then adjourned till to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock. 

Tuesday, May I4tk. 

The Board met according to adjournment. 

Present — G. C. Sibley, President, C. D;ivy, and B. F. Robinson. Absent— 
Mr. Meredith, on leave, and Mr. White, not yet arrived. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that in case Robert 
White, (the Commissioner appointed by this Board to superintend the survey 
and reconnoisance of the M errimec River,) shall not accept the appointment 
of Director of the Board of Internal Improvements, the person who may be 
appointed by the Governor in Mr. White's phice, is hereby appointed and au- 
thorised to act as the Commissioner of the Board on the said survey and re- 
connoisance. And the President is hereby authorised and directed to issue his 
requisition on the Auditor of Public Accounts in favor of the person so appoint- 
ed as aforesaid, for the sum of money, (tkire thousand dollars,) heretofore ap- 
propriated by the Board for the survey and reconnoisance of the Merrimec 
river. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that in order the 
better to enable the Chief Engineer to show the Geological and Mineralogical 
features of the River Osage, he is hereby authorised to call to his assistance 
some fit and proper person as Geologist, who shall receive a compensation not 
to exceedjlve dollars per day while in actual service; to be paid out of any 
money in the hands of the Commissioner appointed to superinted the survey 
and reconnoisance of said river. 

At the request of Mr. Sibley, who could not concur with Messrs. Robinson 
and Davy in adopting the foregoing order, the following protestation was di- 
rected by the Board to be entered on the journal of their proceedings, to wit: 

Believing that neither the apjmntment nor employment of a Geologist was con- 
templated or authorised hy the Legislature, and that no money has by law been ap- 
propriated therefor, and for other reasons, G. C. Sibley dissents from, and pro- 
tests against, the adoption of the order aforesaid., and requests that this declara- 
tion be entered upon the Journal. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered by the Board, that the sum of 
fourteen dollars be allowed and paid to Timothy Leahy, out of the contingent 
fund, for his services to the Board, during the present session. 

On motion of Mr. Davy, it is ordered by the Board, that a copy of the 
rough minutes of the proceedings of the Board to the present time, be prepar- 
ed, signed by the President and each Director now present, countersigned by 
the Secretary of the Board, and immediately transmitted to the Governor. 

On motion of Mr. Davy, the following resolution was unanimously adopted, 
to wit: 

Resolved, That the President communicate to the Mayor and citizeni of St. 



Louis the thanks of the Board, for their kind services and polite attentions 
during their present session. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, ordered, that the Board now adjourn to meet 
again in the City of St. Louis, on the first Monday in September next, and the 
Board adjourned accordingly 

GEORGE C. SIBLEY, President. 



The Governor, "by and w^ith the consent of the Board of Internal Improve- 
ments," appointed and commissioned. 

Wm. H. Morell, to be Chief Engineer of the State of Missouri. 
The Board of Directors made the following appointments. 
George C. Sibley, President of the Board. 
John H. McMillen, Secretary. 
Cornelius Davy, Commissioner on the North Grand River survey, &c. 
Hugh xVeredith, Commissioner on the Salt River survey, &c. 
B. F. Robinson, Commissioner on the Osacre River survey, &c. 
Robert White, Commissioner on the Merrimec River survey, &c. 
G. C. Sibley, Commissioner on the Rail Road route from St. Louis to the 
Iron Mountain. 



At a stated meeting of the Board of Internal Improvements, begun and held 
at St. Louis, on Monday the 2nd day of September, 1839, the following named 
members appeared and took their seats: 

Geo. C. Sibley, President. 

Robert White and B. F. Robinson. 

Absent — Hugh Meredith and Cornelius Davy. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, adjourned to meet to-morrow morning, at 
eleven o'clock. 



The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 
Present — Messrs. Sibley, White, and Robinson. 
Absent — Messrs. Meredith and Davy. 
Adjourned till 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. 



Tuesday, September 3d, 



Wednesday, September ith. 
The Board met according to adjournment. . 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, President; f 

White, Robinson, and Meredith. ^ a 

Absent — Mr. Davy, who has not been heard from. /T 

On Motion of Mr. Robinson, the following order w^as adopted unanimously , 
to wit: It shall be the duty of the Geologist who may be employed agreeably 
to the order of this Board, passed on the 14th day of May last, to select and 
deposite in the office of the Chief Engineer, all such specimens as he may 
deem useful in showing the mineral resources of the Osage River, and alsoy 






to keep secret any valuable discovery or discoveries that he may make, tffl 

otherwise ordered by the Board. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it was ordered, that the President of the Board 
shall have power to administer to all persons who are, or may be hereafter, 
employed mider authority of this Board, such oath or oaths as may be neces- 
sary to the faithful discharge of duties required by law. 

Adjourned tiU 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. 



Thursday y September 5th, 

The Board met agreeably to the last adjournment. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, White, Robinson, and Meredith. 

Absent — Mr. Davy, not heard from. 

Mr. Robinson offered the follov/ing resolution: 

Resolved, That hereafter no epistolary communication shall be entered upon 
the records of the Board mi til the same shall have been submitted to the con- 
sideration of the members thereof in session, Provided, however, that any 
correspondence, as aforesaid, may be filed in the office of the Secretary of the 
Board. 

On this resolution Mr. Sibley desired the yeas and nays. 

Yeas — Messrs. Robinson, Meredith, and White. 

]\Tay— Mr. Sibley. 

So the Resolution was adopted. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is ordered. 

That the President of the Board prepare as full and complete a statement 
of the accounts of the Board up to the 30th instant, as is practicable, showing 
the amount of moneys drawn from the treasury by the orders of the Board, 
in v/hose favor draw^n, how much has been expended, by whom, and on what 
account, and report the same to the Auditor of Public Accounts. 

Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. 



Friday, September 6ih, 
The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 

Present — Mr. President, Messrs. White, Robinson, and Meredith. 
Absent — Mr. Davy, not yet heard from. 

The President laid before the Board a communication from the Chief Engi- 
neer, in the following words, to wit: 

"Engineer's Office, St, Louis, Sept, Ath, 1839. 
"TO G. C. SIBLEY, ESQ. 

'^President of the Board of Internal Improvements, 

"Sir: I herewith submit for the information of the Board, a 
brief statement of the progress made in the duties assigned me by the Board 
at their meeting in May last. 

"Two corps of engineers have been organized. One consisting of J. P. 

fnningham, principal Assistant Engineer, at a salary of $1250 per annum; 
n. R. Singleton, junior Assistant, at $60 per month; B. H. Gordon, junior 
dstant, at $60 per month; Jo. W. Russell Rodman, at $45 per month. This 
ps is at present engaged in the survey of a route for the Iron Mountain 
road. 
"The other corps, consisting of Robert Walker, principal Assistant Engi- 
neer, at a salary of $1250 per annum; L. H. Amsden, junior Assistant; H. S. 
Miles Rodman, at $45 per month. This corps is now engaged in the survey 
of Salt River, and there is a cook in the service of each party, at $30 per 



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month, and the other laboring hands, including the flagmen, are engaged at $25 
per month, for the first party, and $20 for the second. For the transportation 
of the tents, (fee, of the first party, a team and driver is employed. For the 
second a boat is used, and a boatman employed at $30 per month. 

The pay of Mr. Amsden I have left blank, and submit to the Board the fol- 
lowing statement of the circamjtances connected with his engagement, in the 
behef that they will find in them sufficient reasons to induce them to fix his sa- 
lary at a higher rate of compensation than that fixed by their order of the 9th 
of May last. 

"Immediately after my appointment, I addressed a note to Mr. Walker, and 
one to Mr. Amsden, tendering to each the situations of principal Assistant, at 
a salary of $1250 per annum. Mr. Amsden was at that time engaged pro- 
fessionally in t}ie State of Indiana. After waiting a reasonable time, and hear- 
ing from neither of the gentlemen written to, and the service being urgent, I 
secured the services of Mr. Cunningham, who was on the ground, and ready to 
commence immediately. Soon after, Mr. Vv^alker arrived, and was received 
into service. Not knowing the locality exactly of Mr. Amsden, it was a long 
time before my letter reached him. Immediately upon its receipt, he resigned 
his situation, and hastened to join my corps. It will thus be seen that Mr. A. 
resigned his situation in Indiana, and entered the service of this State, under the 
expectation of receiving a salary of $1250 per annum; while, by the order of 
the Board, I can only employ two assistants at that rate of compensation. It 
will also be perceived by the Board, that the corps under the direction of Mr. 
Cunningham, has one more assistant than originally contemplated; this the na- 
ture of the service rendered necessary, as Mr. Cunningham is compelled to bo 
frequently in advance of his party, to make the necessary examinations, in order 
to select the ground upon which the instrumental surveys shall be made. This 
will be much less necessary in the survey of the rivers; and when the party en- 
ters on that service, he will be engaged in copying the surveys of this State in 
the ofiice of the Surveyor General, who has kindly permitted the use of the re- 
cords in his ofiice for that purpose, in order to enable me to comply with that 
part of the internal improvement act which requires the chief engineer to make 
an accurate map of this State. 

" This map has already been commenced, and the work will progress as op- 
portunity shall permit. Under the order of the Board, of the 14th May last, I 
have appointed Dr. H. King as geologist, to assist in the survey of the Osage 
river. I have expended in the service the sum of $427 17 in payments made 
I to the gentlemen forming the corps of engineers, and which is properly chargea- 
^ble to the general improvement fund, and not to any particular service; and I 
lave to request the Board to take such order in the matter as will put me in pos- 
session of that amount. 

"Respectfully, &c. 
(Signed.) "WM. H. MORELL, Chief Engineer." 

Which report of the Chief Engineer was accepted by the Board, and ordered 
to be entered on the journal of their proceedings and filed. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is 

Ordered, That the sum of one thousand dollars be placed in the hands of G. 
C. Sibley (the President of the Board) as a fund to meet the contingent expenses 
of the Board; said Sibley first filing his bond with security as the law directs, 

Mr. Robinson then offered the following resolution : 

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10 

• Resolved, That no money shall be paid out of the contingent fund, {of one thou- 
sand dollars^ except by the special order of the Board. 

Mr. Sibley desired the yeas and nays. 

Yeas — Messrs. Robinson, White and Meredith. 

NAY—Mr. Sibley. 

So the resolution was adopted. 

The Board then took up the report of the Chief Engineer. In the case of 
Mr. L. H. Amsden, mentioned in said report, the following resolution was 
adopted unanimously : 

Resolved, That it is not expedient to increase the pay of Mr. L. H. Amsden, 
as is solicited by the Chief Engineer. 

On motion of Mr. White, it is 

Ordered, That the sum of four hundred and twenty-seven dollars and seven- 
teen cents be paid to Wm. H. Morell out of the contingent fund. 

On motion of Mr. White, it is 

Ordered, That the sum of one hundred and seven dollars and thirty-seven cents 
be paid to John H. McMillan, in full of his account to this day for services, ex- 
tra services, stationary, &c. And that ten dollars and fifty cents be paid to 
Timothy Leatry for services to the Board during the present session — which 
payments to be made out of the contingent fund of the Board. 

And then the Board adjourned to meet in this place on the first Monday in 
May, 1840. 

G. C. SIBLEY, President, 

City of St. Louis, Sept. 6, 1839. 



Moiiday, May 4th, 1840. 
The stated meeting of the Board of Internal Improvements, appointed for this 
day, did not take place; only one member (G. C. Sibley) appearing. 



Tuesday, May 5th. 
Mr. B. F. Robinson, the member from Cole county, appeared to-day. 



Wednesday, May 6th, 
Messrs. Sibley and Robinson met this morning in conference; and having re 
ceived positive information that neither of the other Directors would be in at 
tendance at this appointed meeting, and that consequently there will be no 
quorum for the transaction of business, adjourned till the next stated time o' 
meeting, the first Monday in September next. 

G. C. SIBLEY, President. 
City of St. Louis, May 6, 1849. 



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City of St. Louis, Monday, September 7th, 1840. 

At a stated meeting of the Board of Internal Improvements, begun and held 
at St. Louis on this day, the following Directors appeared, to wit : 

Cornelius Davy, of Jackson county. 

B. F. Robinson, of Cole county. 

Robert White, of Scott county. 

The President (G. C. Sibley, of St. Charles county,) was in the city, but his 
attendance prevented by indisposition. 



^^ 



11 

Hugh Meredith, of Marion county, absent from the State, and writes to the 
President that he does not expect to attend at this meeting of the Board. 
Adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. 



Tuesday, Sept. 8th, 

The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, President, Davy, White and Robinson. 

Absent— My. Meredith.' 

After calling the Board to order, the President stated that the principal busi- 
ness for the Board at this meeting is to prepare for their annual reports to the 
State Auditor and to the General Assembly. That a meeting of the Board will 
be necessary during the next session of the Legislature, and should be held at 
the seat of Government — that there are several claims and accounts against the 
Board to be examined and disposed of; and that some steps should be taken 
immediately to obtain from the Bank, at this place, a balance of about thirteen 
hundred dollars, yet due to the Board, of the twenty thousand dollars appropri- 
ated by the General Assembly for internal improvement purposes, and autho- 
rized to be obtained by the Governor on loan, and which the Governor sup- 
posed he had so obtained from the Bank; but which the Bank has not yet fur- 
nished by about thirteen hundred dollars. The President suggested that, in order 
the better to despatch business, (examine accounts, &c.,) the Board should go 
into interlocutory committee: — whereupon. 

On motion of Mr. Davy, the Board adopted, unanimously, the following reso- 
lutions, to wit: 

Resolved, That the President be requested to address a note to the President 
of the Bank at St. Louis, enquiring v/hether the Bank will, or will not, furnish 
the residue of the sum appropriated by the General Assembly? 

Resolved, That the Board will now go into interlocutory committee for the 
purpose of examining accounts and reports, and preparing for their reports to 
the Auditor of public accounts and to the General Assembly, &c. 

The Board continued in committee during the day, taking a recess at noon; 
and adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. 



V 

Wednesday, Sepiemher dth, 1840. 

The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, President, Daw, White and Robinson. 
■^ Absent— Mr. Meredith. 

The President laid before the Board the report of the Chief Engineer, which 
was referred to interlocutory committee, and ordered to be filed with the Sec- 
retary. * 

The Board then went into committee and continued therein during the re- 
mainder of this day's sitting. At 4, P. M., adjourned till to-morrow morning 
at 9 o'clock. 



Thursday, September Wth. 
The Board met agreeably to adjournment. 
Present — Messrs. Sibley, President, White, Robinson and Daw. 
Absent — Mr. Meredith. 

The President laid before the Board the following correspondence with the 
Bank, as per order of Tuesday last, to wdt: 



It 

Board of Internal Improvements,) 

St. Louis, Sept. 8th, 1840. ] 
Sir: — The Board of Internal Improvements for the State of Missouri, now in 
session, desire to call the attention of the Bank of the State of Missouri to the 
circumstance of the detention, on the part of the Bank, of some thirteen hun- 
dred d.ollars of the twenty thousand borrowed by the Governor under the act 
of the General Assembly, approved February 13th, 1839, for internal improve- 
ment purposes, &c. 

In the settlement of their accounts with the State, the Board have found it 
necessary to make requisition for the full amount of funds appropriated for their 
use by the Legislature; and feel it incumbent on them to obtain the balance 
still due upon the loan, if practicable, before they adjourn their present session: 
and to this end they now respectfully ask the Bank to take into consideration 
the subject as here presented; and communicate to them the result; to wit: — 
Whether the Bank will, or will not, place the above balance to the credit of 
the State Treasurer ? 

The Board beg leave to say, that they wish an immediate answer to this 
note, to enable them to take proper order on the subject in their report to the 
Legislature, now preparing. 

Ver)' respectfully, 
(Signed,) G. C. SIBLEY, PresH. B'd. Int. Imp'ts. 

To John Smith, Esq., President of the Bank of the State of Missouri, St. Louis. 



ANSWER. 

The Bank of the State of Missouri^ 
Saint Louis, Sept. 10, 1840. 

G. C. Sibley, Esq., 

President of the Board of Int. ImpHs. 

Sir: Your communication, dated 8th inst., was received by me yesterday 
morning. Our President, Mr. Smith, to whom the same was addressed, bein^ 
absent, I have consulted as many of the Directors as I could, for the purpose 
of enabling me to afford you an answer. 

I would premise that there must be some misapprehension on the part of 
your Board as regards the " detention^'^ by the Bank, of a part of twenty thou- 
sand dollars designed by the Legislature for your use. It must be predicated 
upon the idea that the Bank became the purchaser of the bonds issued by the 
State. This is error — the Bank advanced the funds as upon an ordinary dis- 
count, deducting the interest from the principal borrowed; designing a reim- 
bursement out of the bonds furnished, when the same should be sold. This has 
not yet been done. 

I am authorized, however, with a view of accommodating your Board, to 
place to the credit of the Treasurer of the State, twelve hundred eighty-six dol- 
lars and seventy cents additional, which will make up the sum of twenty thou- 
sand dollars afforded by the Bank for "the Board of Internal Improvements;" 
which sum is this day placed to his credit, and he and the Auditor of public 
accounts duly advised thereof. 

I am, very respectfully, &c., 
(Signed,) H. SHURLDS, Cashier. 



18 

The Board passed, unanimously, the following order, on motion of Mr. 
Davy : 

Ordered^by the Board, That the Chief Engineer is hereby required to keep in 
the employ of the State, only such assistant engineers and draughtsmen as he 
may actually need, to complete proper maps of the different surveys finished 
and in progress, as also a map of this State; so that all may be completed 
about the commencement of the approaching session of the Legislature; — and 
that all persons so engaged shall prosecute their respective duties at the city of 
Jefferson, unless sent by the Chief Engineer elsewhere to obtain some neces- 
sary information. 

On motion of Mr. Robinson, it is 

Ordered, That the President of the Board prepare as full and complete a 
statement of the accounts of the Board, up to the 30th inst.,as may be practi- 
cable, and forw^ard the same to the Auditor of public accounts. 

Ordered ialso, That it shall be the duty of each Commissioner of the Board, 
and of the Chief Engineer, to file with the Secretary of the Board, without de- 
lay, such statements in relation to their respective accounts with the Board as 
may be necessary, to enable the President properly to comply with the above 
order. 

The Board spent some time in committee, and then at half past 4, P. M,, ad- 
journed till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. 



Friday, September llth, 1840, 

The Board met according to adjournment. 

Present — G. C. Sibley, President, C. Davy, R. White and B.P.Robinson. 

Absent — Hugh Meredith. 

Messrs. Robinson, Davy, White and Sibley filed their respective statements, 
as required by the order passed yesterday. 

The President stated that he had received from Mr. Meredith, and duly filed, 
sundry papers in relation to his accounts, from which he can obtain the requi- 
site information, &c.; and that the Chief Engineer's reports, now on file, will 
afford the needful information as to his account. 

On motion, the Board resolved, as follows: 

Resolved, unanimously, Thatv/hen the present session of the Board adjoums> 
it shall adjourn to meet in the city of Jefferson, on the nrstMonday (the7thday) 
of December next; and that, until otherwise ordered, all future meetings of the 
Board of Internal Improvements shall be held in said city of Jefferson; and the 
President is hereby required to take possession of all the books, records, files 
and papers of the Board, and cause the same to be safely conveyed to the city 
of Jefferson, and deposited in the office of the Chief Engineer, in charge of the 
Chief Engineer, subject to the further order of the President or Board. 

On motion of Mr. Davy, unanimously 

Ordered, That each Commissioner of the Board shall be allow^ed three dollars 
per day as compensation for services actually rendered. 

Mr. Davy, as from interlocutory committee, reported to the Board that no 
final settlement could conveniently be made at this time with either of the 
Commissioners of the Board, or Chief Engineer; nor was it necessary now to 
require such settlements — that the committee has examined sundry claims and 
accounts presented against the Board, amounting in the whole (as allowed by 
the committee) to the sum of $15,448 15, besides sundry others not allowed, 
or suspended for further explanation — that the funds now available to the 
Board to meet these claims, amount to no more than $954 96. In view of 
this state of things, Mr. Davy offered the following for consideration, to wit: 



14 

Whereas, it appears that there are several outstanding claims against the 
Board, not properly cognizable by either of the Commissioners of the 
Board; and that there is an unexpended balance of $454 96 of the con- 
tingent fund of the Board in the President's hands; and also, in the State 
Treasur)^, at the disposal of the Board, a balance of $500; — it is, there- 
fore, hereby 
Ordered^ hy the Board, That the President, G. C. Sibley, is hereby autho- 
■;ized and directed to draw from the Treasury the aforesaid balance of $500, 
(giving his bond in the form prescribed, &c.) -which sum of $500, together with 
the aforesaid balance of the contingent fund, ($454 99) the President is hereby 
required to use towards the pavment of the following claims, to wit : 

1. John H.McMiilanii ... - $15000 

2. Jos. Wm. Russell, - - - - 152 50 

3. John P. Cunningham, - - - 427 80 

4. Wm.R. Singleton, - - - - 299 12 

And, whereas, the following sums appear also to be due to the persons named, 
viz: Peter Lindall, assignee for a balance due Robert 
Walker, - . - - - - $111 08 

2. S. W. Meech, stationery, &c., - - 248 58 

3. J. C. Dinnies & Co., do. - - - 61 86 

4. Joseph Foster for camp and office furniture, - 93 21 

And it is hereby also 

Ordered, hy the Board, That should there remain any balance in the hands 
of G. C. Sibley, Commissioner on the Rail Road Survey, after paying the 
whole expense of that survey, contingencies of the Board, (fee, he is hereby au- 
thorized and required to use the same, as far as it will go, towards the pay- 
ment of the claims last named herein. 

All which report and orders were unanimously agreed to and adopted, by 
Messrs. Davy, White and Sibley — Mr. Robinson not present, having previ- 
ously obtained leave of absence, and left the cit}^ homeward. 

On motion of Mr. White, the Board now adjourned, to meet at the city of 
Jefferson on Mondav, the 7th dav of December next. 

G. C. SIBLEY, President, 

City of St. Louis, Sevt. 11, 1840. 



City of Jefferson, Wednesday Dec. 9th, 1840. 

As in conformity with the last adjournment of the Board (llth Sept.) the 
following named Directors appeared here this morning to wit: 

Geo. C. Sibley of St. Charles county, President. 

Hugh Merideth of Marion county. 

Absent — Messrs. Cornelius Davy of Jackson, B. F. Robinson of Cole, R. 
White of Scott, resigned, there being no quorum present adjourned till 9 
o'clock, to-morrow morning. 

Thursday, Dec, \()th. 
The Board met pursuant to adjournment. 
Present — Messrs. Sibley, Merideth and Robinson. 
Absent — Mr. Davy, not arrived or heard from. 

Mr. Sibley stated that his attendance sooner than yesterday morning was pre- 
vented by the death of a relative in his family. 



m iii^ 



15 

Mr. Merideth and Mr. Robinson were also unavoidably detained, as they in- 
formed the Board. Mr. Merideth v^'ho was absent from the two last meetings 
of the Board stated the reasons for his absence, which wxre by the Board con- 
sidered good and satisfactory. 

The President called the attention of the Board to the principal object of 
present meeting, namely, to make up a Report to the General Assembly, now 
in session, in compliance wdth the 13th section of the 1st article of the Inter- 
nal Improvement act. — 

And on motion. It is 

Ordered — By the board; that the Board will now proceed as in interlocutory 
committee, to collect and arrange the necessary m.aterials for a full and com.- 
plete Report, to be laid before the General Assembly as soon as it can possibly 
be properly prepared. 

That the Board will assemble every morning at 9 o'clock. (Sundays except- 
ed,) for the dispatch of business, until all shall be completed. Adjourned. 

Friday, December llth, 1840. 

The Board met this morning at 9 o'clock. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, Merideth and Robinson. 

Absent — Mr. Davy not yet heard from. 

Mr. Sibley^ presented his Report as the commissioner cf the Board on the 
survey of the Rail Road Route from St. Louis to the Iron Mountain, which was 
ordered to be entered at large on the Journal, as follows: 
" To the Board of Internal Improvements. 

"In conformity with the order of the Board passed on the lOth of May, 
1839 appointing me their commissioner to superintend the reconnoisance and 
survey of a route for a Rail Road from the City of St. Louis to the Iron Moun- 
tain; I entered immediately on the duties assigned me, and in conjunction with 
the Chief Engineer caused the survey to be commenced as soon as the necessa- 
ry preparations could be completed; which were made principally under the 
immediate direction of Major Morell, in whose professional experience I en- 
tirely confided to appoint and equip the party employed in that service. 

"We found at the outset that the number of assistants specified in the order 
of the Board of the 9th May, iS39, was insufficient to ensure the most 
expeditious and economical execution of the survey; and also that it w as imprac- 
ticable to hire any suitable common hands at the rate of w^ages fixed on by 
the Board. 

"We therefore employed an additional assistant, and were compelled to pay 
from twenty-five to thirty dollars per month for labouring hands. We were 
able however to reduce the monthly wages of the Flagman, by causing a com- 
mon hand to perform the duty. 

"The survey was commenced at the shore of the Mississippi river in the city 
of St. Louis, on the 9th day of June, and was completed at the sum.mit of the 
Iron Mountain in the county of St. Francois on the 30th day of October 1839. 

"I then immediately as soon as the bad weather permitted, caused the party 
with the whole equipment to be transported across the country to Massey's 
Iron works where they were directed to commence the survey of the Merri- 
mec river; there I paid them all off in full to the 8th November inclusive, and 
transferred them with all the public property attached to Robert White Esq., 
the commissioner of the Board under whose superintendence the survey of the 
Merrimec river was to be conducted. 

"As the Board will look to the Chief Engineer, and not to me for a detailed 
Report on this survey, I shall only ofier here, a feAv remarks, in addition to what 



16 

It is to my particular provincs to state in relation to the expense incurred in 
its accomplishment. 

"From some notes of this survey in my possession, furnished me by Major 
Moreil, it appears that the length of ths line as surveyed is il5| miles' that it 
passes through the heart of the mineral region, and also through extensive coal 
fields and Pine forests. — That the greatest elevation above the general level to 
be overcome by propelling power; in the whole about 12 miles, is seventy feet 
to the mile; consequently requiring engines of the highest class, and a construc- 
tion heavy and expensive in proportion — That the sstablishment of a Rail Road 
thereon, complete with all the necessary engines, cars, coaches, shops, &c., will 
require an expenditure of about three ?nulions of dollars; and that an annual 
revenue of nearly half a million of dollars will' be requisite to yield a clear in- 
come of six per cent.' on the capital invested. 

"The survey has doubtless been accurately and faithfully executed, and may 
be confidently relied on as the basis of any future prosecution of the contem- 
plated improvement. 

"It ascertains a practicable route for a Rail Road between the two points, in 
the direction designated by the Legislature, and although it may not now be 
expedient either for the State or a company to undertake the work; the time 
will probably soon arrive when the incalulable and exhaustible mineral "riches 
of the region through which our survey passes, net to mention the mountain 
of iron ore at its terminus, shall be more fully developed by individual enter- 
prise; v/ill demand even more costly facilities, if necessary for their diffusion. 

"Meanwhile the State will possess all the facts, estimates, &:c., resulting from 
this survey; which will be sufficient r7(7^rt' for any futnre legislation on the subject. 

"The cost of this survey altho' considerably within the estimate and appro- 
priation, was unavoidably increased, not only by the higher rate of wages 
paid for laboring hands, but also by detentions consequent on sickness in the 
party, produced by their exposure during the extreme heat of summer, in the 
dense thickets and flinty hills, among which the line of the survey was 
obliged to pass — and I may add with truth and propriety, that it was also in- 
creased by the extortionate charges of many of those from whom the neces- 
sary subsistence and other supplies for the party were obliged to be purchased 
along the route. 

"The Board will perceive that the party engaged in this service, was in the 
field, five months, including the few days" occupied in their transfer to the 
Merrimec — The principal assistant, engineer and the rodman, were in service 
and under pay six months^ being employed the first month, principally, in pre- 
paring the outfit for the Rail Road and other surveys; for which service, they 
were wholly paid out of the Rail Road appropriation in my hands. 

"Including this last named expenditure,^amounting to $169 42-100, the Rail 
Road reconnoisance and survey, has cost the sum of three thousand seven hun- 
dred and one dollars and thirty-one cents; ($3701 31-100,) which the Board 
will find exhibited in ample detail, in the statement and accompanying vouch- 
ers herewith presented. All which with this report, are respectfully submitted. 

G. C. SIBLEY, 
City of Jefferson, Dec. llth, 1840. 



Mr. Merideth also laid before the Board his final Report on the Salt river 
survey, which was ordered to be recorded in the Journal and is in the following 
words to wit: 



^ ^ 



n 

"Report of Hugh Meredith commissioner for the survey of Salt river made 
to the Board of Directors of Internal Improvements for the State of Missouri 
Dec. 11th, 1840. 

"Having been appointed by the Board of Directors of Int. Improvements 
at a meeting in May 1839 commissioner for the survey and reconnoisance of 
Salt river, and having conciadea the duties of that appointment, I respectfully 
present my report accompanied by an account of the disbursements and the 
sustaining vouchers. — 

"The survey was commenced August 30th and completed December 1st, 
1839 — the results will appear in the Report of the State Engineer, to which I 
refer for all details and estimates — A chart of the survey has been completed 
and may be seen in the office of the Engineer. — The amount of disbursements 
authenticated by vouchers as is shov/n in the account, has been $1614 78 — 
showing a balance in my favor of $114 78-100, my own account against the 
State is $252 44-100 as shown per voucher No. 43, of this amount $153 arises 
from attendance on the Board, and an examination of the Rail Road route, 
leaving $99 44 for services and expenditures on Salt river survey — sixteen dol- 
lars eighty-two cents ($16 82) cts. is also justly chargeable to the contingent 
fund having been expended not especially for the Salt River survey, but for the 
general service. This amount of $16 82 added to the $153 above mentioned 
makes a sum of $169 82 which should be deducted from the whole amount 
paid by me viz: $1614 78, leaving a balance of ^1444 96, the true amount 
paid by me as commissioner on Salt River survey. 

"From the account now presented it appears there is still a balance of $36 
due L. H. Amsden for services rendered as surveyor on this survey, which will 
shew the whole cost of the survey to have been $1480 96-100. 

"Some of the vouchers it will be seen were taken in the names of W. H. 
Morell and L. H. Amsden, who acted at times, as agents for me during my ab- 
sence from the party, occasioned by the sickness of my family; motives of 
economy for the interests of the State also induced me occasionally to dis- 
burse through these gentlemen, as by this means my constant attendance was 
rendered unnecessary. — The expenditures upon this survey have been much in- 
creased by delay in procuring the levelling instrument from Baltimore; in con- 
sequence of which it became necessary to traverse the whole line twice. The 
survey has however been completed in a satisfactory manner, and the respec- 
tive duties of the gentlemen employed have been fulfilled with much atten- 
tion, industry and ability. 

"There is one subject alluded to in the report of the Engineer which I res- 
pectfully point out to your particular attention. Salt River has been recogni- 
sed as a navigable stream, both by the General Government and by an act of 
the Legislature of Missouri; this recognition has induced a preference with 
many persons to purchase in the section of country fertilized by the waters of 
this stream; they justly consider that its navigation is a right secured to them 
under the sacred enactment of the State, which if not further improved by 
slack water, or otherwise, should at least be preserved in its natural and unob- 
structed condition, this right has been violated in several instances by the con- 
struction of dams across the stream, without locks or other means of passage 
for boats. If such individuals as have erected dams, or who may hereafter 
erect them, were obliged to construct suitable locks upon such regular and system- 
atic plan as might be furnished by the Engineer, this right w^ould be reserved 
inviolate. The water could be employed for manufacturing purposes, and in 
the course of time the whole length of the stream would be improved into a 
slack water navigation. 

3 



18 

f* The first duty of the Board, under the act by which it has been organized, 
is * to ascertain the most proper objects of improvement in relation to roads 
and navigable waters, and report thereon to every General Assembly.' In ac- 
cordance with this instruction, I will suggest to the Board an object in wtiich 
a large portion of Northern Missouri is deeply interested, and especially that 
portion in which reside my more immediate constituents, viz: A road from 
Hannibal, on the Mississippi, by the most direct route to Bj^unsidck, on the 
Missouri river, surveyed and laid out by a competent engineer, with a view to 
its gradual improvement by McAdamizing or otherwise, as the wisdom of fu- 
ture Legislatures may direct. This road is required at the present time, and 
the urgency of the demand rapidly increases. Surveyed and laid out in this 
way, and with this view, it would become at once the great highway of the- 
interior country to the river markets; the care and attention of the people 
would be bestowed upon it; the counties immediately interested would make 
appropriations for its improvement; the hills would be cut and sloped; the low 
spots embanked and elevated, and the streams bridged — all with little or no 
other cost to the State Treasury than that of the first survey; and at some, 
not distant, day, when the mighty resources of our fertile soil shall have been 
further developed by private enterprise, fostered by such prudent steps as the 
one above recommended, and the wealth of the country will justify the mea- 
sure, a direct route, graded and rendered solid from use, will have been pre- 
pared for such other improvement as the country may then require and the 
Legislature authorize. 

" I close my report wdth the request that this object of improvement be re- 
commended by the Board to the General Assembly as one worthy immediate 
attention. 

(Signed,) "H. MEREDITH." 

The following is the report presented to the Board by Robert White, Esq., 
late Commissioner of the Board to superintend the survey of the Merrimec 
River, 

Ordered to be entered at length upon the journal, viz: 
" To the Board of Internal Improvements: 

** Robert White, appointed by the Board by order of 10th of May, A. D., 
1839, to superintend the reconnoisance and survey of the Merrimec River, as 
Commissioner, submits the following report of his labors to the Board : 

« Previous to entering definitely upon the duties assigned me by the order 
of the Board, I spent a portion of my time in assisting at the reconnoisance of 
the survey of the Salt River, and also that of the rail road route from the city 
of St. Louis to the Iron m.ountajn in St. Francois county. However,! entered 
upon the discharge of the duties assigned me by order of the Board aforesaid, 
on the 15th day of October, A. D., 1S39. My attention was first turned to 
the construction of boats and crafts, and making other necessary preparations 
for the survey of said river, the reconnoitering party not being present; but 
said party joined me on the 8th day of November, A. D., 1839, and we imme- 
diately proceeded from the head of Big Spring, at Massey's Iron Works, in 
the prosecution of the contemplated work. 

" The party consisted of Principal Assistant Engineer, Surveyor, Rodman, 
and laboring hands. We continued in the prosecution of our labor until 30th 
day of November, in the year A. D., 1839, when the weather growing cold and 
i^iclement, and by order of the Chief Engineer, we repaired to Jefferson city, 
at which time most of the laboring hands were discharged, the young gentle- 
men forming a part of the party being retained in the Chief Engineer's office. 



19 

On the first day of April, in the year 1840, 1 again repaired to the city of Jef- 
ferson, equipped again, and proceeded to continue the survey of the Merrimec 
whence we left off. However, before we recommenced our labors on our ar- 
rival at the Merrimec River, we were detained some two or three weeks in 
procuring laboring hands, some of those whom we had previously engaged 
having left us about the time of our commencing business. We then recorri- 
menced our survey, and unremittingly continued our labors until the 30th day 
of August, A. D., 1840, having completed the survey, with the exception of 
thirty miles of levelling, which has since been completed. 

" In August, when we discontinued our labors, we were compelled to do sb 
in consequence of the illness of some of our party. In truth, we were detained 
at least two weeks during the time engaged in the survey and reconnoisance 
of the Merrimec, previous to August, in consequence of the indisposition of 
some of the party, and in consequence of a small accident which happened one 
of our boats, which occasioned the loss of one of our most important instru- 
ments; w^hich, however, was finally recovered. 

" I respectfully refer the Board to the report of the Chief Engineer, for a 
more detailed and satisfactory report of the survey of the Merrimec. The 
whole amount expended by me on said survey, is three thousand and one dol- 
lars and jive cents, which is evidenced by the accompanying exhibit and vouch- 
ers marked A. and made a part of this report. There is yet due and owing 
several- persons, as follows : . ' :'' ' 

To W. R. Singleton as T. S. Engineer, - - $46 00 

" Mr. Page as Rodman, - - - 68 75 

" Joe (black boy) as hand, - - - 1 05 33 

" T. M. Anderson as Rodman, - - - 33 00 



1253 08 
Deduct (per voucher 11) this sum not properly charge- 
able to this survey, - - - - 45 50 

$207 b^ 
Add expended, 3001 05 



Cost of Merrimec survey, - - $3208 63 

(Signed,) '^ROB'T. WHITE." 

December 11, 1840. 

The Board adjourned. 



Saturday, December I2th, 1840. 

The Board met this morning at 9 o'cloclc. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, Robinson and Meredith. 

Absent — Mr. C. Davy — not yet heard from. 

Mr. B. F. Robinson, Commissioner on the Osage River Survey,filed his final 
report thereon, which is ordered to be placed on the journal; and is in the 
words following, to wit : 

" To the Board of Internal Improvements : 

*' In addition to the foregoing account cuiTent, I take the liberty of subjoin- 
ing — That the expenses of the Osage survey and reconnoisance w^ere necessa- 
rily increased in consequence of a delay of the party occasioned by high water, 
and also by reason of the remote situation of Osceola, the point of commence- 
ment from navigation; the transportation of stores, &c., to that point dmount- 



/. 



20 

ing to two hundred dollars^ being more than their original cost. In addition to 
this, I will state that the disbursements made by me by an order of the Board 
of May, 1839, (see journal, p. 25) for a geological examination of the valley and 
contiguous regions of the river Osage, amounting to about eight hundred dol- 
lars, likewise increased the expenditures on the survey of that river; and the 
amount paid out for that examination,! presume, is more than was anticipated 
by the Board at the time the order passed their body. 

*'By an examination of my account, it will be seen that there has been ex- 
pended by me on the survey of the Osage river, the sum of two thousand nine 
hundred and Jive dollars and fifty -five cents, including the geological examina- 
tion, and exclusive of my account for services per diem, &c., aswill.be seen by 
voucher No. 50. The balance due for that survev is $313 78 — as follows: to 
B. Gordon $65 16; T. Anderson gUS; Mr. Overshaw §51 87; and to Ed- 
ward David ,§54 35. Besides the balance due me, as per account, to meet these 
demands, there is in my hands accounts and notes to the amount of ninety-six 
dollars and twenty-five cents. 

" I cannot conclude without adverting to the peculiar inconveniences under 
which a large and respectable population of Missouri labor in consequence of 
their remoteness from navigation. 

" Salt, sugar, coffee, and many of the necessities of life, cost them double and 
thrihle at w^hat they can be purchased at or near our navigable rivers; and this, 
too, it should be recollected, although they have flowing through their very 
midst a magnificent stream, one that could be made navigable two hundred and 
fifty miles at a cost of about two hundred thousand dollars. Economy, as much 
as I admire it, here loses its charms, and indeed becomes wasteful extravagance. 
Extreme parsimony not unfrequently occasions poverty to individuals; and 
may not too rigid an economy impoverish a State or a nation, by retarding its 
developments, and cramping the industry and enterprise of the people ? 

Very respectfully, 
(Signed,) "B. F. ROBINSON, 

" Commissioner of Osage Reconnoisance and Survey, ^^ 

The Board adjourned till Monday. 



Monday, December lAth, 1840. 

Present this morning — Messrs. Sibley, President, Meredith and Robinson. 

Absent — Mr. Davy — and not yet heard from. 

Mr. Sibley laid before the Board statements of all his accounts, as Commis- 
sioner and Agent of the Board, accompanied by forty-five vouchers, in dupli- 
cate, and asked the Board to examine and pass upon them. 

Messrs. Meredith and Robinson thereupon entered upon that duty as in com- 
mittee; and 

The Board adjourned till to-morrow at 9 o'clock. 



Tuesday, December Ibth, 1840. 

Present — Messrs. Sibley, President, Robinson, and Meredith. 

Absent — Mr. Davy — not yet heard from. 

Mr. Meredith's accounts were by him laid before the Board this morning, 
with his vouchers, (No. 1 to 43) in duplicate, and Messrs. Robinson and Sibley 
directed to examine them and report thereon. Adjourned. 



21 

Wednesday , December \Qth* 
Present — Messrs. Sibley, Robinson and Meredith. 
Absent — Mr. C. Davy — and not yet heard from. 

Mr. B. F. Robinson's accounts and vouchers were, at his request, taken up, 
and referred to Messrs. Meredith and Sibley to examine and report thereon. 
Adjourned. 



Thursday i December 17 th. 

Board met at the office of the Chief Engineer. 

Present — Messrs. President, Meredith, and Robinson. 

Absent — Mr. C. Davy — not heard from yet. 

Mr. Robert White, late Commissioner of the Board on the Merrimec River 
Survey, presented all his accounts and vouchers, in duplicate, to the Board this 
morning; v^hich were referred for examination to Messrs. Robinson and Mer- 
edith. 

Major Morell, Chief Engineer, also presented his accounts, vouchers, &c., 
for examination and adjustment; Avhich Avere referred to Messrs. Robinson and 
Sibley, &c. 

Afternoon — Messrs. Meredith and Robinson report on the accounts of Geo. 
C. Sibley, that they have examined and find them all correct — that he received 
at different times, by orders of the Board, for disbursement as their Commis- 
sioner and Agent, the sum of six thousand and Jive hundred dollars — that he 
has filed vouchers, {forty-jive in number) showing an aggregate just charge 
against the Board and the State of six thousand seven hundred and eight dollars 
and eighty -one cents; and that there is due him thereon, two hundred and eight 
dollars and eighty-one cents. That his charge for personal services and contin- 
gent expenses,is $657 23 altogether, since the 1st May, 1839, to wit: 

As Commissioner on the Rail Road Survey, - - $198 00 

Postages and stationery, - - - - 2 05 



See voucher No. 9 on file, - . - - |200 05 

As President and Director of the Board, $447 00 

Postages, Stationery, &c:, - - - 10 68 



See voucher No. 45 on file, - - - _ $457 68 

Six hundred fifty-seven dollars and seventy-three cents, $657 73 

On Mr. Meredith's accounts, Messrs. Sibley and Robinson report that they 
iiave examined and find them all correct as stated by him — that he received 
from the Board $1500 for disbursement as Commissioner on Salt River Survey. 
That he has filed vouchers proving an aggregate expenditure of $1614 78, (in- 
cluding $252 44 for his personal services,) and that there is now due him from 
the State, Tie hundred and fourteen dollars and seventy -eight cents. 

On the accounts of Mr. Robinson, Messrs. Meredith and Sibley report that 
they have duly examined them with the vouchers filed, and a^e satisfied that 
his statement of receipts and disbursements is correct. There is evidence of 
an aggregate expenditure on the Osage River Survey of $2905 b^\ to which 
add Mr. R.'s charge for his personal services, ($603) and some other contingen- 
cies noted in the same voucher, No. 50, amounting to $33 02, will in all make 
the sum of $3541 57. Mr. Robinson received from the Board $3500 in State 



22 

funds, and also §18 on account of a horse sold, and acknowledges notes and ac- 
counts in his hands due the State and Board, amounting to $96 25, $3614 25 
Amount disbursed per vouchers, - - - - 3541 57 



Leaves this balance due by Mr. R. which he holds in unset- 
tled notes, &c., - - - - - - 72 6S 

Messrs. Robinson and Meredith report as follows upon Mr. R. White's ac- 
counts : That they have examined them carefully, with the vouchers filed, and 
believe them to be correctly stated. The forty-Jive vouchers exhibited show 
an aggregate disbursement by Mr. W. of |i3001 05. He received from the 
Board $300— consequently there is now due him one dollar and five cents from 
the State. JSIr. White charges — 

For his services as Commissioner, - - $357 00 

For his services as a Director, - - - 244 75 

For his contingent expenses, - - - 32 00 



$633 75 

Which charges are embraced in his account of disbursements per his vouch- 
ers Nos. 42, 43, 44. 

Messrs. Robinson and Sibley, to wdiom was referred for examination the 
disbursement account of Wm. H. Morell, report thereon as follows ; 
, That the sum of one thousand dollars was placed in Major Morell's hands by 
order of the Board of May 10th, 1839, (see p. 20) for which his bond is en file 
in the Secretary of State's office; and that the further sum of /oz^r hundred and 
twenty-seven dollars and seventeen cents was paid him by order of the Board 
passed September 6th, 1839, (see pp. 34 and 39) making altogether the sum of 
$1427 17 — which is the whole amount that is chargeable against him on this 
account. Major Morell has produced satisfactory evidence, contained m forty- 
six vouchers filed with his account, that he has disbursed in the service the 
sum of sixteen hundred and fifty-one dollars and five cents ^ and that there is 
now due him from the State, on this account, the sum of two hundred and 
twenty-three dollars and eighty eight cents. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is hereby 

Ordered, by the Board, That the President draw upon Cornelius Davy, 
Commissioner of Grand River, for the sum of two handred and eight dollars 
and eighty-one cents in favor of Geo, C. Sibley — also for one hundred and four- 
teen dollars and seventy -eight cents in favor of H. Meredith; and also for the 
sum oifive hundred and forty -one dollars and twenty-seven cents in favor of Ma- 
jor Wm. H. Morell — all to be paid out of the balance remaining in his hands, 
as per his account filed in the Auditor's office. 

,The following order was adopted by the Board, on Mr. Meredith's motion, 
to wit : 

Whereas, it appears from Mr, B. F. Robinson's accounts, on file, that he holds 
certain notes and claims amounting to $96 25, which are the property of 

; the State at the disposal of this Board : — it is hereby 
- Ordered, That the collection of said dues shall be confided to Mr. Robinson; 
/and out of the proceeds thereof he shall discharge the balance that appears due 
him on his disbursement account, ($23 57) and the residue ($72 68) he is here^ 
by auJ:horized and directed to pay into the hands of such Commissioner or 
Agent as this Board may appoint to receive and disburse the same. 

On motion of Mr, Meredith, it is hereby 



1 i. 



23 

Ordered, That the sum of two hundred and eight dollars and eighty one cents 
be allowed to Geo. C. Sibley, being the balance due him on iiis account ren- 
dered and filed; and that the sum of one hundred and fourleen dollars and sev- 
enty-eight cents be allowed to Hugh Meredith for a balance due to him upon 
his accounts rendered and on file — which sums to be paid out of moneys in the 
hands of Cornelius Davy, Commissioner on the North Grand Iliver Survey; — 
and that the balance of the funds then remaining m Mr. Davy's hands (§541 27) 
shall be placed in the hands of Wm. H. Morell, Chief Engineer, to be by him 
accounted for; — Provided, that the balance due to Robert White (§1 05) and 
the balance due to Wm. H. Ptlorell on his disbursement account v-:223 88) 
shall be paid out of the said fund, and the residue to said Morell towards his 
quarter's salary. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is hereby 

Ordered, Th2d the President is required to notify Cornelius Davy of the fore- 
going orders; (relating to the funds in his hands,) and also that he is required 
to file his final accounts as Commissioner of the Board, accompanied by vouch- 
ers, in the office of the Board of Directors, and also in the office of the State 
Auditor, with the least possible delay. 

On motion of Mr. Meredith, it is hereby 

Ordered, That the President of the Board, Geo. C. Sibley, is hereby appointed 
Commissioner and Agent of this Board, to receive whatever moneys may be 
due the Board from any source; and also to receive any money that may be 
hereafter appropriated by the General Assembly, now^ in session, for the use of 
the Board of Internal Improvements; (said Sibley executing sufficient bond as 
by law required,) and to disburse the sam.e promptly in the payment of all ac- 
counts allowed by the Board, together with such as may arise from the com- 
pleting the business in the Chief Engineers office; and account for the same to 
the proper office, without any unnecessary delay. 

On Mr. Robinson's motion, it is 

Ordered, by the Board, That the examiners of the accounts of the several 
Commissioners and Chief Engineer, be authorized and required to affix suitable 
certificates thereto; and that one set of each, with the vouchers pertaining 
thereunto respectively, shall be filed in the office of the Board; and the other 
set be filed in the office of the State Auditor; and that those filed in the office 
of the Board shall be held subject to any call of the General Assembly. 

Mr. Meredith offered the following, which was adopted, to wit : 

It is ordered by the Board, that Geo. C. Sibley and B. F. Robinson be a com- 
mittee to copy and correct the rough draft of the report of this Board to the 
General Assembly, which they are hereby required to communicate to that 
body as soon as the appropriate documents can be prepared and copied that are 
referred to in said report; and also that said committee shall exercise a general 
superintendence over the records and files of the Board, and the public prop- 
erty at the disposal of the Board; and the same dispose of in such manner as 
may, in their opinion, be most for the public interest. 

At the suggestion of the President, the Board requested the Chief Engineer 
to furnish, forthwith, an accurate list of all outstanding claims against the 
Board in his department; giving the true amount of each up to the 15th inst., 
including his own salary due; and also an estimate of the probable expense to 
be further incurred in completing the maps of the five surveys finished, and of 
the State map, as far as it can be now finished; and that said Chief Engineer 
be required to furnish an inventory of all the instruments, office and field furni- 
ture, and other public property, in his charge or possession. 

And in conformity with this order, the Chief Engineer immediately handed 



24 

in lists, of which the following are copies, directed by the Board to be inserted 
in the journal, to wit: 



Due 



to L. H. Amsden, services, 

B. Gordon, do. - 
J. W. Russell, do. - 
T. M. Anderson, do. - 
W. R. Singleton, do. - 
Wm. H. Morel], do. - 

S. W. Meech, for stationery, &c., 
J. C. Dinnies & Co., do. 
J. P. Cunningham, services, 
Joseph Foster, camp furniture, - 
J. T. Stibbs, repairing tents, 
Sublette & Campbell, blankets, - 
John Wells, office rent, 

C. Gunn, printing circulars. 
Post Office, city of Jefferson, 
Hill & Rasin, for candles, 

J. Paulsal, for wood, 

Servant and wood chopper, 

For sheet Iron fenders, 

For copies of surveys, - 

Mr. Blattner, repairing instruments, 



Total due, 
Estimate to 15th February, to wit : 
Amsden, 2 months' service, 
Gordon, do. do. 

Singleton, do. do. 

Russell, do. do. 

Anderson, do. do. 

Morell, Chief Eng'r., do. 
Servant and wood cutter. 
Fire Wood, 
Candles, 

Office rent and repairs. 
Stationery, &c., 
Cloth and roller for map, 



Amount now due, and estimate to the 15th February — in all, 



_ 


$541 06 


. 


423 16 


- 


168 75 


- 


257 88 


- 


252 00 


- 


889 17 


- 


248 58 


. 


61 86 


_ 


143 80 


_ 


85 21 


. 


18 00 


- 


42 00 




120 00 


- 


7 50 


_ 


8 44 


« 


32 00 


_ 


30 00 


_ 


30 00 


. 


3 00 


. 


5 00 


- 


24 00 


- 


$3391 41 


$208 33 




120 00 




120 00 




90 00 




90 00 




333 33 




40 00 




60 00 




18 00 




40 00 




30 00 




10 00 






$1159 66 



$4551 07 



Inventory of articles belonging to the State of Missouri, and connected with the 

Engineering Department. 

Office Furniture — 5 walnut tables, 2 do. wash stands, 4 pine drawing 
boards, 3 mahogany rulers, 1 walnut ruler, 12 mahogany triangles, 4 tin cylin- 
ders, 2 pair tongs, 1 shovel, 9 candlesticks, 2 wash pans, 1 wash bowl, 1 pitcher, 
1 vol. Public Works of Great Britain, vols. 1 and 2 Transactions of the Institu- 
tion of Civil Engineers. 

Instruments — 2 levels and tripods, 2 compasses and Jacob staves, 2 rods and 



XX. 



25 

targets, 1 beam compass, I protractor, 2 slope instruments, 1 pocket compass, 
.1 magnifying glass, 2 tape measures, 2,50 ft. chains and pins, 1 small boat an- 
chor, 3 axes, 1 do., 6 hatchets^ 5 hatchet belts, 2 brush knives, 1 drawing knife, 

1 auger, 1 box small instruments. 

Camp Equipage. — 4 wall tents and 3 flies, 1 cook's tent, two large mess chests, 

2 small do,, 10 camp stools, 9 mattrasses, 9 pillows, 24 pairs blankets, 4 large 
tin buckets, 2 small do., 2 tea kettles, 2 large pots, Ismail do., 4 ovens and lids, 
4 gridirons, 4 tin boilers, 2 stew pans, 3 frying pans, 1 sheet iron do., 9 tin pans, 
4 tin coffee pots, 2 tin tea pots, 6 tin cups, 3 tin dippers, 3 coffee mills, 1 skim- 
mer, 1 flesh fork, 2 sieves, 1 pair shovel and tongs, 2 sheet iron fenders ^ 1 spi- 
der, 21 dining plates, 7 dishes, 2 pitchers, 2 sugar bowls, 21 tea cups and 18 
saucers, 17 soup spoons, 19 tea do., 1 large iron do., 1 bowl, 12 Britannia tum- 
blers, 1 set castors, 20 knives and 15 forks, 2 carvers and forks, 2 steels and 1 
saltcellar, 1 buffalo robe. ■ 

And Mr. B. F. Robinson reports that the following are in his possession; to 
wit: 

1 large spy-glass, 1 box for mineral tests, 2 geological picks. 
Mr. Robinson reported to the Board that there is due from the Board to Mi- 
chael Anbuison, for balance of services as Chainman on the Osage River Survey, 
the sum of fifty-one dollars and eighty-seven cents, - - - $51 87 

And also to Edward Davy for services as Chainman on the 

same survey, the sum of .fifty-four dollars and seventy-five ">*''' '^^^t 
cents, ibitLt. ixi ]>ofloDi)i iK>iJi^ - - - - 54 75 



Which accounts amounting to - - - $106 62 

The Board recognizes and allows. 

And Mr. Robert White, late Commissioner on the Merrimec River Survey, 
states that there is due for services rendered on that survey — 

To Joseph Canonge, boatman, - - - - $10533 

■j I f. J (jt^- To John Page, flagman, - - - - - 68 75 
-; i*.V.i:..V' ;. •: t - :.■■'■ ^ .- ui-j -^) ij --'iixiffid feii: ■■ 
L- . - Which two accounts amounting to - ^ - $174 08 

l}hp. Board recognizes and allows. 

On motion, \ ,: ; 

Ordered, That the President prepare a statement of the accounts of thd Board 
with the State, to be laid' before the General Assembly, with the journal and 
otiiQr .documents preparing to accompany the report of the. Board; which or- 
.^f?:^l)¥Q#^P»t;f^pGqM>a^jM<^Ws;::A : i .ik uioji j ir-fi l33u oiv 

l=jij; :'jc:i:;!>, r] :;. ij u;,.; li -/^Iiy.-i j/^ii . .uojb/i olhovom od ,9/fiod 

.'>biioM ibiit m\t no O'julq tidi ij> i8um oi bduiuvjibii vlj^aibiODOB bifioli eilT 

.U8j rrM id 



26 

Djt. The State of Missouri in account with the Board of Internal Improvements. 
For expenditures on Osage River Survey, - - - $3541 57 

on North Grand River, do. - - - 1675 14 

on Salt River do. - - - 1614 78 

on Morriraec River do. - - - 3001 

on the Rail Road Route do. - - - 3701 

by G. C. Sibley's account on sundry accounts, 3007 50 
by Wm. H. Morell, do. do. - 1223 88 

on account Chief Engineer's salary, - - 2316 

For amount of sundry claims outstanding against the Board, 
per lists page, $8788 91 .... 





do. 




do. 




do. 




do. 




do. 


«4 


do. 


it 


do. 



05 
31 



34 



3672 11 



$23,753 68 



Balance per contra, ^ - - - 3599 43 

Add the estimated expense of finishing the maps, plans, &c., 
now in progress, ordered by the Board, as by "the act" di- 
rected — see the estimate page 88, - - - - 1159 66 



Amount of appropriation respectfully asked by the Boards $4759 09 



The State of Missouri in account with the Board of Internal Improvements, Cr. 

For amount of the appropriation received at sundry times 

from the State Treasurer, .... $20,000 00 

Amount received per B. F, Robinson, Commissioner for sun- 
dries resold, - - - - - -114 25 

Amount received per C. Davy, Commissioner for a boat 

resold, . - - - - - - 40 00 



i.h 



;o \ 



This balance due the Board of Internal Improvements, 



,154 25 
3,599 43 



$23,75^ 68 
G. C. SIBLEY, President 
.'■: December 17th, 1840. 

bnr. iiM'-:. .. ^ • 

• > There being no further business to detain the Board in session, (nothing hav- 
ing been heard from Mr. Davy,) and Mr. Meredith being very desirous to return 
home, he moved to adjourn till the next regular meeting in course; and 

The Board accordingly adjourned to meet at this place on the first Monday 
in May, 1841. 

G. C. SIBLEY, President. 
City op Jbffbrson, December 1*7 th, 1840. 



\L 



^27 



MEMORANDUM— December 29th, 1840. 

The Board having adjourned, Mr. Davy not arrived or heard from, and 
Messrs. White and Robinson having resigned their offices as Directors, I am 
left alone here to attend to the business of the Board. 

For the information of the Committees of the tvi^o Houses of the General 
Assembly on Internal Improvements, and all others officially interested, I give 
notice, that all the records, files, &c. belonging to the office of the Board, w^ill 
be immediately deposited in the office of the Secretary of State, subject to the 
orders of the Legislature, or either branch, and to the inspection of all autho- 
rized persons; and, further, that I shall remain in this city during the present 
week, to answer any calls for information in mv power. 

G. C. SIBLEY, 
President of the Board of Internal Improvements, 
City of Jefferson. 



28 



REPORT, 



OP THE 



TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MISSOURL 



CITY OF JEFFERSON, > 
Dec. 29th, 1840. ( 
iSir: 

I have the honor to lay before the General Assembly, th« 
BEGCompanying very full Report of the Board of Internal Improvements. 
Very respectfully ,- Sir, your most ob't servant, 
« ,{Jx:r/fH -I i.iri'. G. C. SIBLEY, 

Finest, of the Board, 
IThe Honorable the President of the Senate of Missouri, 



.11*1 tt 



In conformity with the 13th section of the 5th article of the act entitle 
'**an act to establish a general system of Internal Improvements in the State 
of Missouri," approved 11th February 1839, "The Board of Internal Im- 
provements" appointed and organized by authority of said act, have the honor 
to lay before the General Assembly now in session, the following report: 

By appointment of the Governor, the Board was duly organized at the City 
of St. Louis, the first week in May 1839, and immediately set about the per- 
formance of their prescribed duties — the early appointment of an experienced 
Chief Engineer, who sustains a high rank and reputation in his profession, en- 
abled the Board to commence operations without any delay further than was 
necessary to obtain suitable assistants and laborers; and to provide instruments 
and proper outfits for the two engineering parties ordered. And as it was be- 
lieved at the outset, that it would be but barely practicable to complete the 
five surveys ordered, within the time prescribed, with maps, plans, estimates 
&c., and that the means placed at the disposal of the Board for those objects 
would probably prove insufficient (especially if the pay of the Directors, and 
salary of the Chief Engineer, and the necessary office expenses shall he taken 
from that fund^ a vigorous exertion and rigid economy were strictly enjoined 
on all to whom were entrusted the work to be performed and the expenses to 
be incurred and paid. 

The better to effect these objects, the Board deemed it most advisable to 
appoint "of their body" a Commissioner to superintend the disbursements &c,^ 



29 

«f each reconnoisance and survey; and to place such sunn oi money at the dis- 
posal of each Commissioner as upon careful estimates was considered adequate 
to defray the expenses of the work confided to him; requiring bond and secUr 
rity from each, as directed by the act, for faithful disbursements. ,T 

In pursuance of this plan, the Board placed $3500 in the hands of B. P, 
Robinson and appointed him their commissioner on the Osage River survey. 

§2500, in C. Davy's hands as Commissioner on the N. Grand River survey. 
$1500, in H. Meredith's hands as Com. on the Salt River survey. .ijs 

$3000 in R. White's hands as Com. on the Merrimec River survey. !^^. 

$5000 in G. C. Sibley's hands as Com. on the Rail Road Route survey. 

And in the hands of the Chief Engineer the sum of ^1000 for disbursement 
in his department, for instruments &c., making in alias thus appropriated the 
sum of §'16500, which is covered by bonds and security approved by the Gov- 
ernor; now- on file in the ofiice of the Secretary of State. 

For the sake of brevity, reference is here made to the '-Journal of the 
proceedings of the Board of Directors," which is herewith presented in full 
and from which the Legislature may readily obtain exact information in rela- 
tion to the whole action of the Board and their Commissioners embracing es- 
pecially the various accounts of expenditures with references to the vouchers 
in very ample detail. 

All the surveys ordered by "the act" have been completed, as w^ill be seen 
from the report of the Chief Engineer, w^hich is herewith communicated, 
and to which the Board would respectfully invite the particular attention of 
the Legislature. 

Appended to that interesting document, w^ill be found the report of H. King, 
•who was employed under an order of the Board passed 14th May, 1839, to 
inake a geological examination of the Osage River country. 
; The plans, maps, &c., of the surveys, (so necessary for a right understanding 
.of them) are not yet finished. They are now being* prepared in the Chief En^ 
gineer's office, with all diligence, and will, it is expected, be all completed, to. 

f ether with the map of the State, as far as that can be finished for the present 
y the 15th of February proximo. 

All these maps, especially the large map of the State, will doubtless be prop- 
erly appreciated by the General Assembly. They wdll all be faithfully and ac- 
curately executed from the very best data; and will be almost indispensable to 
the State, in the event of any future prosecution of the works of improvement 
lo which they refer. 

No copies of any of these maps have yet been ordered by the Board, for the 
use of counties, or for the office of the Secretary of State, because the addi- 
tional expense would be considerable, and because such copies can be procured 
Jf desirable, at any future time. » 

All the Commissioners of the Board (except Mr. C. Davy) have made reports 
to, the Board of their proceedings, and have filed detailed accounts of their dis- 
.bursements, with vouchers to sustain them, in the office of the Board, and with 
the State Auditor, as has also the Chief Engineer. Full notices of all those ac- 
counts and reports will be found in the journal of the prcceedings of the Board, 
already referred to in this report. 

As nearly as can be readily ascertained, near enough for the present purpose, 
the several surveys have cost, exclusive of the maps, plans, estimates, and pro- 
portionate office expenses, as follow^s : 



30 

The Osage River, with the geological survey, 23 H miles, - - $3648 35 
The North Grand River, 110 miles, ... - 1725 00 
The Salt River, 75f miles, 1544 96 

The Merrimec River, 172i miles, - - - - - 3208 63 

The Rail Road Route, 1151 miles, - - - = . 370131 

The remainder of the appropriation ($6171 75) has all been expended — 
$1595 14 of it in payment to the President and Directors of the Board, as such, 
and to their Secretary; and for books, stationery, office rent, and other contin- 
gent expenses of the Board — $2316 34 to the Chief Engineer on account of his 
salary — $477 68 for instruments— $1379 57 for services of engineers and 
draughtsmen, in office, and $403 08 for office and field furniture, and other 
contingent expenses of the Engineering Department. 

In carrying into effect the act of the Legislature, the Board are well satisfied 
that they have faithfully performed all their duty; and they can testify, also, to 
the zeal, industry, perseverance and efficiency of the Chief Engineer and his 
Assistants, without which it would have been entirely impracticable for the 
Board to have finished all the surveys ordered by "the act" within the present 
year. In executing the orders of the Gen&ral Assembly, the Board have been 
governed in their expenditures by a proper regard for economy: but the funds 
placed at their disposal have been found inadequate to meet all their engage- 
ments up to the 15th inst., including the per diem pay and expenses of the 
Board, and salary of the Chief Engineer, amounting to $4800 65, which pay- 
ments the Board, with submission, are of opinion are not properly chargeable 
to the appropriation. 

Not only has the whole appropriation been exhausted, but there are claims 
now outstanding against the Board and the State, that have been examined and 
allowed, amounting to the sum of $3672 11; and in addition to this, it is esti- 
mated that the further expense of completing the maps now in hand, (a work 
enjoined on the Board by "the act," and which they have no authority to omit 
or suspend,) will amount to the sum of $1159 66 — making, altogether, 
^4831 77; from which should be deducted $72 68 in the hands of one of the 
Commissioners, in uncollected notes and accounts; and there remains to be pro- 
vided by the General Assembly the sum of $4759 09 — all which are more par- 
ticularly set forth in the accompanying journal of the Board, and the accounts 
on file at the disposal of the Legislature. 

The Board respectfully ask of the General Assembly an appropriation oijour 
thousand seven hundred and fifty -nine dollars, to enable them, by their Com- 
missioner and Agent, to discharge all present arrearages, and to meet the esti- 
mated expenses now accruing, with such as may actually accrue in this service, 
to the 15th of February proximo. 

There are now on hand in the Chief Engineer's office, a variety of instru- 
*ments and articles of furniture, &c., as per inventory in the journal, to be dis- 
posed of as the Legislature may direct; and also a considerable collection of 
mineral and fossil specimens, of a highly interesting character; which, if prop- 
erly arranged and preserved, would form the neucleus of a cabin-et useful to 
the -State. 

In accordance with the law under which this Board has been organized, re- 
quiring them to ascertain "the most proper objects of improvement in relation 
to roads and navigable waters, and to report thereon to every General Assem- 
bly," the Board would now respectfully suggest, that, in addition to the ob- 
jects they have recently had in charge, there are two others which are deemed 
of great public importance; and, as they would involve but a trifling expense. 



31 

they are respectfully recommended. The first is a road from Massey's Iron 
Works to a point on the Missouri River, about ten miles below the mouth of 
the Gasconade, to be surveyed and laid out as a State road by a competent en- 
gineer. For better information on this subject, reference is made to the ac- 
companying letter of Mr. Massey to the Board. 

The second object is a road from the town of Hannibal, on the Mississippi, 
by the most direct route to the town of Brunswick, at the mouth of Grand 
River, on the Missouri, to be also laid out under authority of the Legislature by 
a competent engineer, with a view to such future improvement by paving or 
otherwise, as may be deemed expedient by succeeding Legislatures. On this 
subject, reference is respectfully made to the report of Mr. Meredith to the 
Board, found at large in the journal of their proceedings. 

Very respectfully submitted by order of the Board of Internal Improvements. 

G. C. SIBLEY, President 
City of Jefferson, December 29, 1840. 



^^ 



ilr 



p.- 
an 






32 



REPORT 



OF THE-,i ■:(, }^ , ■. ■. . 

CHIEF ENGINEER 

OF THE BOARD OF INTEMAL IMPROVEMENTS, 



To the President and Directors of the Board of Internal Impfovements : 

Gentlemen : I have the honor to submit the following report relative to the 
various duties devolved upon me by the act of 1839, establishfng a general sys- 
tem of Internal Improvements, and by the act supplementary to the same. 

The first section of the supplementary act directs "a reconnoisance and sur- 
vey to be made of the River Osage, from its mouth to the town of Osceola, in 
the county of St. Clair; also, a reconnoisance and survey of North Grand River, 
from its m.outh to Gallatin, in the county of Daviess; also a reconnoisance of 
Salt River, from its mouth to the Three Forks, in the county of Monroe; also, 
of the Merrimec, from its mouth to Massey's Iron Works, in the county of 
Crawford;" and that "a detailed report of the nature and character of the ob- 
structions to the navigation of these rivers — whether it be practicable to remove 
them; and the probable cost of effecting the same shall be made to the Gene- 
ral Assembly." 

Section 12 directs a survey and reconnoisance of a route for a rail road from 
the city of St. Louis, leading by the nearest and best route to the Iron Moun- 
tain, in the county of St. Francois, and passing through the mineral region be- 
tween said points; and that the Chief Engineer shall cause to be made such 
maps, plans, &c., as may be necessary to illustrate the route, and that he shall 
report the same with a minute and accurate estimate of the cost for the con- 
struction of said rail road to the next General Assembly of this State." 

Although the law directing the examination of the different rivers has refer- 
ence, solely, to removing obstructions to the navigation, I have, nevertheless, 
taken the liberty of making such suggestions as to what appears to be the best 
and proper kind of improvement for each river, as were indicated by the re- 
spective surveys. 

Of the Osage River. — The point at which the survey of this river was 
commenced, at the town of Osceola, is about two miles below the mouth of the 
Sac, a tributary which has its source near the southern limit of this State, and 
which, at its confluence with the Osage, is of the same apparent size as that 
stream. The Osage proper has its source far beyond the boundaries of this 
State, in a direction westwardly from the point where it receives the Sac. — 
The extent of country drained by the Sac is 2052 square miles, and of that by 
the Osage Fork, is 1332 square miles within the State, besides a vast country 



MBSSialS 



33 

of undefined extent beyond its western borders. The main swell of these two 
streams is rarely coincident. The Sac, rising far in the South, contributes its 
accession of waters, at the breaking up of winter, in advance of the rise from 
the western fork; and, during the other wet seasons of the year, the great ex- 
tent of country drained by these streams, and the remote points in which they 
have their source, preserves to the river, below their confluence, for a long pe- 
riod, a nearly uniform quantity of water. The most important tributaries that 
afterwards unite with the Osage, are the Pomme de Terre and Grand Rivers, 
above the town of Warsaw, and the Niangua, sixty-four miles below it. 
These tributaries, though large, do not appear to add much to the permanent 
volume of the stream; they do, indeed, by local rains, occasionally produce a 
rise, which soon subsides, their chief utility consisting in re-placing the waste 
of the river from evaporation and filtration. To this purpose, the Niangua is 
admirably adapted, its main supply being in a few large springs which gush out 
in perennial rivers. 

The right bank of the river at Osceola, is limestone rock— the left alluvial 
bottom; both reach above high water, and their steepness is such as to occa- 
sion but little variation in the surface width of the river during its various fluc- 
tuations. This width, where the survey was commenced, and when the river 
was stated to be at its ordinary stage, was 317 feet, and the depth 7.7 feet, with 
a current moving at the rate of about two miles per hour. This characteristic 
of alluvial bottoms on one side, and rocky bluffs on the other, is preserved, with 
few exceptions, to the mouth of the river. 

The bottoms are narrow, generally elevated above high water, and are com- 
posed of sand, gravel, and alluminous matter, combined in such a manner as to 
form banks of such permanency as, in most cases, effectually to resist the action 
of the river. The rocky banks with which these bottoms alternate, and which 
occasionally rise into perpendicular bluffs of from 50 to 250 feet elevation, are 
of the tertiary formation of Bakewell, and are generally silicious limestone, with 
occasionally large masses of sand-stone; and the deposites which are brought 
into the river by its tributaries, are detritus from these rocks, with small angu^- 
lar fragments of silicious rocks which abound upon the ridges of the interior, 
and which are also more or less intermixed with the soil of the prairies. These 
deposites, whether brought into the river by its tributaries, or derived from the 
abrasion of its banks, appear to be very stationary, the force of the current of 
the river not being sufficient to put them in motion after they have once subsi- 
ded in it. The obstructions to the navigation of the river consist of shoals 
formed by deposits of this description of material, which give to the bed of the 
river where they occur, great stability, and force it at high water to wdden its 
channel by encroachments upon its alluvial banks, the coarser and heavier par- 
ticles of which are added to the shoals already in existence, while the lighter 
ones are deposited where the water is less rapid, and accumulate into islands by 
which the water in the river becomes temporarily divided. At these points, 
in low water, the greater part of the whole fall in the river is accumulated, 
thus dividing it into a succession of pools and rapids. The river in these pools 
has a depth of from 3 to 12 and 15 feet, with a current scarcely perceptible, 
while, at the shoals, it is either spread out in a thin sheet of great rapidity, or 
divided by the islands, so as to afford in neither channel sufficient water for the 
purposes of navigation. In addition to shoals of this description, there is an 
obstruction known as the "Rock Rapids," where there is a fall of 1.65 feet in a 
distance of 200 yards, with a minimum depth of water of 3.3 feet. The diffi- 
culty here does not consist so much in the shallowness of the river as in the 
rapidity of the current and the agitation of the water occasioned by masses of 

5 



dl^ 



detached rock distributed through the channnel. As the mouth of the river is 
approached, the character of the bottom land, and of the deposites, is also 
changed to some extent, there being more alluminous matter and less grav^ 
entering into their formation. Owing to the general stability of the Banks, the 
obstructions from snags are not numerous; but, at a few points where this sta- 
bility is wanting, the undermining of the river has occasioned a considerable 
accumulation of them. These will have to be removed; and, to prevent farther 
encroachments of the river, the banks must be protected by rock. The over- 
hanging trees that have necessarily to be cut, are few; and should the platt 
proposed for the improvement of the river be executed, they will all be wanted 
in the prosecution of that work. 

To improve the navigation at the shoals and rapids, it is proposed to concen- 
trate the water by the construction of wing dams and jettees, of such height 
and extent at each locality, as a thorough examination shall appear to demand, 
with the view of preserving to the channel, at the ordinary stages of water, a 
minimum depth of four feet. In some cases, these dams will have to be thrown 
out from one side of the river only. In all these when the natural bank oppo- 
site the dam is alluvial, it is to be prevented from being undermined, and from 
abrasion, by a covering of loose rock. 

The dams will be generally a little over four feet high, and will be construc- 
ted either of rock, or of rock, brush and coarse gravel combined. Whenever 
sluices are to be cut off, or it is necessary to connect any island with the main 
land, by a dam, it is proposed to construct it of crib work filled with rock in 
the usual manner. The loose rock in the channel at the Rock Rapids, and in 
the very few other points v/here they occur, will also have to be removed. 

The use of rock in the different constructions suggested, and in the protec- 
tion of Sjuch alluvial banks of the river as may require it, makes it necessary to 
observe that that material is every where abundant in the immediate vicinity 
of the river. 

During the whole of the operations here suggested, it should be borne in 
mind that where the bed of the stream has acquired permanency, it should not 
be disturbed, if it be possible, by the concentration of the river, to get a suffi- 
cient depth of water without it. After the completion of the works, there may 
be some few points to w^hich the dredging machine may be usefully applied; 
but it is not to be resorted to as a primary operation. 

In order to elucidate more fully the extent and character of the river, and to 
present the pools and shoals more in detail, the following tabular statement has- 
been compiled. The survey w^as commenced the 30th of March, and comple- 
ted the 2d of August; and these tables exhibit the character of the stream re- 
duced to the lowest stage of w'ater during that period. It is stated that at some 
very dry seasons it gets lower, which is probable, as last season was one in 
which, although there was no very considerable freshet, there was in the whole 
season the usual quantity of rain. 



-^Si 



35 

TABULAR STATEMENT, 

Illustrative of the character of the Osage River, frain Osceola to its mouth. 

Division 1. — From Osceola to Warsaw. 



No. of 
Pool 


No. of 
Shoals & 
Rapids. 


L'ngth in 
Yards. 


Fall in ft. 


Minimum 
Depth. 


1 

Total length. 


Total fall. 


Character of Bed. 










Ft. 


' Miles. 


Y'ds 


Ft. 




1 




2916 


1,060 


2.50 


1 


1156 


i.060 


Gravel. 




1 


500 


1.930 


2.40 


1 


1656 


2.990 


Loose Stones. 


2 




5100 


1.036 


2.40 


4 


1476 


4026 


Gravel. 




2 


200 


0410 


3.00 


4 


1676 


4436 


do. 


3 




900 


0.220 


4.50 


5 


816 


4656 


do. 




3 


100 


0.500 


3.00 


5 


916 


5.156 


do. 


4 




800 


0.228 


6.30 


5 


1616 


5.384 


do. 




4 


300 


0.980 


3.10 


6 


256 


6.364 


do. 


5 




517 


0.035 


11.00 


6 


773 


6.399 


do. 




5 


600 


1.100 


3,00 


6 


1373 


7.499 


do. 


(5 




6167 


1.175 


4.00 


10 


500 


8.674 


Gravel & loose stoneg 




6 


400 


1.885 


2.10 


10 


900 


10.559 


Loose Stones, 


7 




933 


0.060 


5.00 


11 


73 


10.619 


Gravel. 




7 


500 


1.345 


2.50 


11 


573 


11.964 


do. 


8 




1867 


0.385 


5.20 


12 


680 


12.349 


do. 




8 


900 


2.040 


2.50 


12 


1580 


14389 


Loose Stones- 


9 




7700 


2.030 


3.00 


17 


480 


16.419 


Graveli 




9 


300 


0.710 


4.00 


17 


780 


17.129 


do. 


10 




2000 


0,680 


6.50 


18 


1020 


17.809 


do. 




10 


200 


0.980 


2.40 


18 


1220 


18.789 


do. 


11 




1200 


0.310 


6.50 


18 


1420 


19.099 


do. 




11 


200 


0.660 


2.50 


18 


1620 


19.759 


Ao. 


12 




2600 


0,850 


5.70 


20 


700 


20.609 


do. 




12 


300 


0,500 


12.00 


21 


840 


21.109 


do. 


13 




1600 


0.370 


2.00 


20 


1000 


21.479 


do. 




13 


400 


1.140 


3.50 


21 


1240 


22.619 


do. 


14 




4000 


1.555 


2.60 


23 


1620 


24174 


do. 




14 


700 


0.950 


3.20 


24 


660 


25.124 


do. 


15 




5300 


1410 


2.90 


27 


680 


26.534 


do. 




15 


200 


0.630 


2.40 


27 


880 


27.164 


do. 


16 




1900 


0.305 


5.50 


28 


1020 


27.469 


do. 




16 


300 


1.340 


3.40 


28 


1320 


28.809 


do. 


17 




7900 


4065 


5.29 


33 


420 


32.874 


do. 




17 


800 


0.930 


4.50 


33 


1220 


33.804 


do. 


18 




5450 


2.270 


430 


36 


1290 


36.074 


do. 




18 


400 


0.480 


3.50 


36 


1690 


36.554 


do. 


19 




2250 


0.500 


4.50 


38 


520 


37.054 


Gravel 




19 


900 


2.310 


2.70 


38 


1420 


39.364 


do, 


20 




6100 


2.260 


3.00 


42 


480 


41.624 


do. 




20 


200 


0.840 


2.34 


42 


680 


42.464 


do. 


21 




4650 


1.220 


3.10 


45 


50 


43.684 


do. 




21 


200 


0,300 


3.10 


45 


250 


43.984 


do. 


22 




1450 


0.350 


5.90 


45 


1700 


44.334 


do. 




22 


200 


0.500 


2.80 


46 


140 


44.834 


do. 



36 



No.of ^J^'^- /f 

Pool. Shoals^ 

Rapids 


J 


Minimuir 
• Depth. 


' Total 


Length Total fall 


Character of Be<J. 




1 


1 


1 


, Ft. 


Miles 


. Y'ds. Ft. 


' 


23 




i 3200 


0.450 


7.00 


47 


I6St 


) 45.284 


Gravel. 




23 


200 


0.500 


2.40 


48 


21 


\ 45.784 


Loose Stones. 


24 




1250 


0.190 


5.70 


48 


127C 


) 45.974 


Gravel. 




24 


300 


0.600 


4.80 


48 


i570| 46.574 


do. 


25 




450 


0.070 


5.40 


49 


1601 46.644 


do. 




25 


200 


1.230 


3.20 


49 


360| 47.874 


do. 


26 




8200 1 2.285 


4.10 


53 


1620 


50.159 


do. 




26 


300 


0.740 


2.20 


54 


160 


50.899 


do. 


27 




5000 


1.130 


2.30 


1 56 


1640 


52.029 


Rocky. 




27 


100 


0.540 


2.80 


56 


1700 


52.549 


do. 


28 




2100 


0.140 


3.30 


58 


320 


52.709 


do. 




28 


600 


L420 


2.60 


58 


920' 54.129 


do. 






Division 2. — From Warsaw to Niangua 


River. 


29 




3100 


0.565 


4.90 


GO 


500i 54.694 


Gravel. 




29 


400 


1.710 


2.80 


60 


900 


56,401 


do. 


30 




4200 


1.225 


4.40 


62 


1580 


57.629 


do. 




30 


400 


0.850 


2.80 


63 


220 


58.479 


do. 


31 




11000 


1.395 


3.70 


69 


660 


59.874 


do. 




31 


400 


0.820 


2.40 


49 


1060 


60.694 


do. 


33 




5200 


0.790 


3.50 


72 


980 


61.484 


do. 




32 


700 


0.800 


2.40 


72 


1680 


62.284 


do. 


33 




4500 


0.685 


3.10 


75 


900 


62.969 


do. 




33 


700 


1.240 


2.40 


75 


1600 


64.209 


do. 


34 




5900 


0.895 


2.30 


79 


460 


65.104 


do. 




34 


2200 


2.930 


2.00 


80 


900 


68.034 


do. 


35 




2200 


0.510 


5.00 


81 


1310 


68.544 


do. 




35 


400 


1.720 


2.00 


81 


1740 


70.264 


do. 


36 




3700 


1.730 


2.70 


84 


60 


74.994 


do. 




36 - 


500 


1.560 


2.50 


84 


560 


73.554 


do. 


37 


1 


1500 


0.210 


3.80 


85 


400 


73.764 


do. 




37 


300 


0.600 


2.80 


85 


700 


74.364 


do. 


38 




6700 


1.450 


5.00 


89 


360 


75.814 


do. 




38 


200 


1.100 


3.20 


89 


5G0 


76.914 


do. 


39 




800 


0.330 


8.90 


89 


1300 


77.244 


do. 




39 


300 


0.520 


3.00 


89 


1660 


77.764 


do. 


40 




2000 


0.405 


9.10 


91 


140 


78.169 


do. 




40 


300 


0.510 


4.20 


91 


440 


78.679 


do. 


41 




1900 


0.250 


5.00 


92 


580 


78.629 


do. 




41 


200 


0.650 


4.30 


92 


780 


79.579 


do. 


42 




3700 


0.465 


6.30 


94 


96o 


80.044 


do. 




42 


200 


0.640 


3.30 


94 


1160 80.6841 


do. 


43 




2300 


0.470 


6.00 


95 


1700 


81.154 


do. 




43 


700 


2.200 


3.00 


96 


640 


83.354 


do. 


44 




780 


0.100 


7.50 


96 


1420 


83.454 


do. 




44 


350 


1.350 


3.20 


97 


10 


84.804 


do. 


45 




1100 


0.100 


10.00 


97 


1110 


84.904 


do. 




45 


200 


1.650 


3.30 


97 


l3i0 


86.554 


Rock. 



No. of 
Po©l. 


No. of 

Shoals & 

Rapids. 


L'ngthin 
Yards. 


FalHnft. 


?ilinimuin 
Depth. 


Toto. I length. 


Tot;'.] fall 


Character o/ Bed. 










Ft. 


Mllpe.i Y'c^s. ! Ft. 




46 




2070 


.645 


5.50 


98 


1620| 87.199 


Gravel. 




46 


400 


.620 


2.60 


99 


2G0j 87.819 


do. 


47 




3300 


.605 


• 6.40 


101 


401 88.424 


do. 




47 


300 


.770 


3.7o 


101 


340 


89.194 


do. 


48 




1480 


.120 


6.70 


102 


60 


89.314 


do. 




48 


200 


.810 


2.40 


102 


260 


90.124 


do. 


49 




2320 


.275 


4.00 


105 


620 


90.399 


do. 




49 


300 


.600 


2.60 


]03 


1120 


90.999 


do. 


50 




2740 


.460 


7.00 


104 


310 91.459 


do. 




50 


150 


.700 


3.00 


105 


490 92.159 


do. 


51 




2410 


.390 


12.00 


106 


1140 92.549 


do. 




51 


600 


1.400 


2.2o 


106 


1740 93.949 


do. 


52 




970 


.180 


11.30 


107 


850 94.129 


do. 




52 


300 


.500 


2.80 


107 


1150 94.629 


do. 


53 




830 


,020 


8.40 


l08 


320 94.649 


do. 




53 


500 


1.470 


2.90 


l08 


820 


96.119 


do. 


54 




1400 


.400 


6.00 


109 


460 


96.519 


do. 




54 


300 


.370 


4.30 


l09 


760 


96.889 


do. 


55 




7000 


.590 


4.20 


112 


1480 


97.479 


do. 




55 


1100 


1.240 


2.10 


114 


60 


98.819 


do. 


56 




3100 


.245 


8.30 


115 


1400 


99.064 


do. 




5 


600 


1.490 


2.30 


116 


240 


100.554 


do. 


57 




1100 


.105 


2.50 


116 


1340 


100.659 


do. 




57 


300 


1.500 


1.50 


116 


ifriO 


102.159 


do. 


58 




3400 


.260 


5.40 


118 


1320 


102.419 


do. 




58 


700 


1.000 


1.80 


119 


260 


103.419 


do. 


59 




5000 


.315 


2.00 


122 


180 


103.734 


do. 



Division 3. — From Niangua River to the mouth of the Osage. 



59 

60 

61 

62 

63 

64 

65 

66 

67 



600 
1630 

400 
lOOO 

900 
2070 

600 
2200 

200 

400 

5U0 
1100 

200 
5800 

400 
4400 

200 
1800 

600 



2.420 

1.055 

1.280 
. 60 

1.560 
. 50 

2.170 
. 90 
.400 
. 50 

1.180 
. 70 
.770 
.870 

2.500 
.440 

1,400 
. 15 

1.500 



1.50 
5.90 
2.00 
7.80 
3.40 
6.50 
2.60 
5.50 
4.00 
2.00 
1.30 
5.60 
2.40 
6.00 
1.80 
5.40 
2.20 
6.70 
3.20 



122 
123 
123 
124 
124 
125 
126 

1 27 
127 
127 
128 

1 28 
128 
132 
132 
134 
135 
136 
l36 



780 

650 

1050 

290 

1190 

1700 

540 

980 

1180 

1580 

320 

1420 

1620 

280 

680 

1660 

lOO! 

140 

740 



105.234 
106.289 
107.569 
107.629 
109.189 
109.239 
111.409 
111.499 
111.899 
li 1.949 
113.129 
113.199 
113.969 
114.839 
117.339 
117.779 
119.179 
119.194 
120.694 



Gravel, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 



*^ ^- 



38 



No. of 
Pools. 


1 No. of 

Shoals &. 
Rapids. 


L'ng^in 
Yards. 


Fall in ft. 


Minimum 
Depth. 


Total length. 


Total fall. Chj 


iractex of Bed. 










Ft. 


Miles. 


Y'ds. 


Ft. 




69 




4820 


0.250 


2.70 


139 


280 


120.944 


GraYol. 




69 


300 


1.000 


2.00 


139 


580 


121.944 


do. 


70 




250O 


0.165 


5.70 


140 


1320 


122.109 


do. 




70 


700 


0.690 


2.00 


141 


260 


122.799 


do. 


71 




1520 


0.075 


6.00 


142 


20 


122.874 


do. 




71 


800 


1.480 


1.80 


142 


820 


124.354 


do. 


72 




1660 


0.300 


5.50 


145 


1700 


124.654 


do. 




72 


300 


0.690 


2.50 


146 


240 


125.354 


do. 


73 




2050 


0.080 


5.00 


147 


530 


125.424 


do. 




73 


400 


0.740 


2.80 


147 


930 


126.164 


do. 


74 




15o0 


0.S45 


6.10 


148 


750 


126.709 


do. 




74 


600 


1.530 


2.60 


148 


1350 


128.239 


do. 


75 




2500 


0-355 


4.40 


150 


330 


128.594 


do. 




75 


400 


1-800 


3.60 


150 


730 


130.394 


do. 


76 




2500 


0-120 


6.00 


151 


1470 


130.514 


do. 




76 


400 


0-980 


2.80 


152 


110 


131.494 


do. 


77 




1600 


0-755 


2.50 


152 


1710 


132.249 


do. 




77 


300 


0-870 


3.20 


153 


250 


133.119 


do. 


78 




9430 


0-955 


2.40 


158 


880 


134.074 


do. 




78 


800 


M40 


2.60 


158 


1680 


135.214 


do. 


79 




2240 


0-040 


4.00 


160 


400 


135.254 


do. 




79 


400 


1-870 


2.40 


160 


800 


137.124 


do. 


80 




2860 


0-110 


4.00 


162 


140 


137.234 


do. 




80 


600 


1-550 


2.90 


162' 


740 


138.784 


do. 


81 




3440 


0-235 


4.00 


164 


660 


139.019 


do. 




81 


300 


0.300 


4.20 


164 


960 


139-3^19 


do. 


83 




3200 


0.880 


2.20 


166 


640 


140-199 


do. 




82 


300 


1.1.30 


2.60 


166 


940 


141.329 


do. 


83 




1040 


0.025 


12.00 


167 


640 


141.354 


do. 




83 


SOO 


0.9C0 


4.00 


167 


1140 


142.254 


do. 


84 




2740 


0.135 


2.20 


169 


360 


142.389 


do. 




84 


400 


1.240 


3.40 


169 


760 


143.629 


do. 


85 




3900 


0.290 


2.50 


172 


180 


143.999 


do. 




85 


200 


0.520 


2.70 


172 


380 


144.519 


do. 


86 




3100 


0.125 


3.80 


173 


1520 


144.644 


do. 




86 


700 


0.770 


2.60 


174 


460 


145.414 


do. 


87 




3200 - 


0.390 


5.40 


176 


340 


145.804 


do. 




87 


300 


0.970 


2.70 


176 


640 


146.774 


do. 


88 




400O 


0.300 


7.60 


178 


1120 


147.074 


do. 




88 


400 


1.080 


1.70 


178 


1520 


148.154 


do. 


89 




1900 


0.140 


12.00 


179 


1660 


148.294 


do. 




89 


40O 


0.770 


3.40 


180 


300 


149.064 


do. 


90 




130O 


0.015 


5.40 


180 


1600 


149-079 


do. 




90 


300 


1.120 


3.20 


181 


140 


150.199 


do. 


91 




2300 


0.345 


3.50 


182 


680 


150.544 


do. 




91 


300 


0.460 


3.20 


182 


980 


151.044 


do. 


92 




3370 


0.200 


11.00 


184 


830 


151.204 


do. 




92 


60O 


1.480 


2.90 


184 


1430 


152.684 


do. 


93 




2530 


0.130 


3.40 


186 


440 


152-814 


do. 




93 


60O 


1.110 


2.10 


186 


1040 


153-924 


do. 


94 




6500 


0.350 


2.30 


190 


500 


154-274 


do. 




94 


300 


0.420 


3.90 


190 


80O 


154.694 


do. 


95 




1700 


0.100 


9.00 


191 


740 


154.794 


do. 




95 


700 


0.900 


3,70 


191 


1440 


155.694 


do- 


96 




1100 


0.060 


8.00 


192 


780 


155.754 


do. 




96 


300 


0.360 


3.20 


192 


1080 


156-114 


do. 


9T 




2300 


0.110 


12.00 


193 


1620 


156-224 


do. 




97 


50O 


0.860 


2.50 


194 


360 


157-084 


do. 


98 




2500 


0.090 


8.70 


195 


1100 


157.174 


do. 




98 


700 


1 0.500 


8.90 


196 


40 


158.674 


do. 


99 




2300 


0.075 


4.50 


197 


580 


158.749 


do. 




99 


300 


0.791! 


2.80 


197 


880 


159.539 


do. 


100 




7800 


0.220 


4.00 


201 


1700 


159.759 


do. 




100 


500 


0.090 


2.00 


202 


440 


160.849 


do. 


101 




9640 


0.760 


2.00 


20T 


1280 


161.609 


do. 




101 


350 


0.450 


2.80 


207 


1630 


162.059 


do. 


102 




39630 


0.110 


4.50 


230 


780 


162.169 


do. 



39 

DIVISION I. 

No. of shoals between Osceola and Warsaw, - - 25 

Aggregate length of do. - - - - 10,500 yards. 

fall do. ^ - - - 27.51 feet. 

Totd ** between do. and do. - 54.13 do. 

" distance " do. and do. - 58 miles, 920 yds. 

DIVISION 2. 

No. of shoals between Warsaw and mouth of Niangua, 30 

Aggregate length of do. - - - - 14,200 yards. 

fall do. - - - - 33.42 feet. 

Total " between do. and do. - 49.61 do. 

Distance do. - - - - 63 miles, lOOO yds. 

DIVISION 3. 

No. of shoals between Niangua River and mouth of Osage, 43 
Aggregate length of do. - - - - 19,350 yards. 

fall do. - - . - 47.75 feet 

Total " between do. and do. - 58.42 do. 

" distance " do. and do. - 1 08 miles, 621 yds. 

Minimum volume of water per minute, l3l,000 cubic feet. 
Maximum range of river from high to low water, according to 

freshetinl837, - ..... 27 feet. 

Do. do. during survey in l840, - - - 22 do. 

The mineralogical and geological character of the valley of this stream has ( 

been ascertained by an examination made by H. King, M.D., who was appoint- ^ ) 
ed by me for that purpose, under an order of the Board of Internal Improve- 
ments. A copy of his report (marked A.) is hereto appended. An examina- 
tion of this report will serve to illustrate the object and uiihty of such examina- 
tions; and the industry and ability with which this duty has been performed 
will recommend the scientific gentleman to whom it was intrusted, to the favo- 
rable consideration of the Legislature, should it be disposed to prosecute inves- 
tigations of a similar nature. 

Th^ estimated cost of removing the obstructions £ind making the improve* 
ments suggested in this report, is as follows, viz : 

20,200 yards of wing dams and jettees, at |7 50 per yard, - - $l5l ,590 

Removing rocks from channel, - - - . - . i ,500 

" snags and trees, - - - - - - 14,000 

Constructing crib dams at sluices and islands, - - - 1 1 ,000 

20,000 square yards rock protection, at 40 cents, - - - 8,000 

|1 86,000 

Add for contingencies ar.d superintendence lO per cent., - - 18,600 

Total, $204,600 

For this sum it is confidently believed that the proposed improvements can be 
effected; by means of which a certain navigation, of from 4 to 7 months in each 



I 



y 



40 

year, can be secured to all boats not drawing more than 3.5 feet water. These 
boats should be built expressly for this trade, with engines of sufficient power 
to enable them to ascend the rapid current that in low water will always exist 
at the shoals. To enable them to thread the channel with accuracy, their en- 
gines should also be double. 

In prosecuting this work, regard should be had to the amount of labor in the 
country: and the annual expenditures should be so limited as not to make so 
large a demand upon it as materially to increase its value. It is believed this ex- 
penditure should not be greater than $50,000 in the first two years, and that the 
first operation should be to remove the snags and rocks from the channel, and the 
impending trees from the banks, and any balance then remaining should be ex- 
pended in the improvement of such shoals as shall appear most obviously to de- 
mand it. 

The extent of territory, within this State, that will be directly benefited by 
this improvement cannot be less than 18000 square miles, a large portion of 
which is prairie of good quality, the more westv/ardly part being represented 
as unusually productive, as is also the valley of every water course through- 
out its whole extent. The eastern section, or that nearest the mouth of the 
Osage, is generally covered with timber, its surface is very irregular, and with 
the exception of the narrow bottom lands of the river and its numerous tri- 
butaries, is but illy adapted to agricultural purposes. For this deficiency in 
agricultural capability, there is, however, an abundant recompense in the very 
general diff'usion of ores of lead, in the richness of the bottom lands, and the 
extendeii range for stock which those parts too rugged for cultivation will 
always furnish. 

The inducements which the variety and excellence of this section of country 
holds out to industry and enterprise have drawn to it a large portion of the 
emigration that has come to this State within the last few years, and the home 
demand for articles of agricultural production consequent upon this emigra- 
tion, together with the difficulties and privations to which the pioneer is always 
subjected, have in a great degree prevented him from turning his attention to 
the immense hinderance to his prosperity that exists in the heavy charges and 
expenses to which every article requiring transportation is subject. His salt 
and his iron, articles of indispensable necessity^ and those other heavy articles 
of sugar and coffee, which, to an American farmer, are, from habit, of almost 
equal necessity, come to him so much enhanced in value, by the cost of trans- 
portation, as to absorb the products of his industry, diminished as they are in 
exchangeable value by the same cause. This expense of transportation is as 
essential an element in the consideration of the value of lands as the quality 
of the soil; and it becomes important to enquire more particularly into what, 
in this respect, is the present condition of this region. In doing this it will be 
placed in as favorable a point of view as its true position will warrant by as- 
suming Warsaw as the central point at which its exchanges of products for 
supplies are effected, This town is situated on the Osage, 172 miles above its 
mouth, and 75 miles from Boonville, which is its nearest shipping port upon 
the Missouri* The distance from the mouth of the Osage to Boonville is by 
the river about seventy miles; but the charge for freight from St. Louis to either 
point is about the same. The cost of transportation from Boonville to Warsaw 
per one hundred pounds, is $1 00 

From the mouth of the Osage to the same point by the improved 
navigation, it will probably not exceed an average of 40 

Resulting in a saving per hundred of 60 



41 

By the census of this year it i^ ascertained that the white inhabitants of the 
district of country, that would in all probabiHty get their suppUes by this im- 
provement, amounts to 64,000; and assuming 6 of these to a family, the num- 
ber of families will be 10,666 — Suppose that each of these families consume for 
aUpurposes, 14 bushels of salt of 50 lbs. each, the whole present annual con- 
sumption of this article amounts to 149,324 bushels, or 74,662 hundred, which 
at 60 cts per cwt. is $44,797 30 

In addition to this, estimates made by gentlemen of great , '' 

intelligence, and who have ample means of arriving at cor- "'^ • ^^ 

rect conclusions as to the consumption in this section of .iWDitB 

other articles of importation, place their amount at 20,000- ,7? ,^ 

000 lbs., or 200,000 cwt. which at the difierence of 60 ^! -'^^ 



cents per hundred, makes an additional tax per annum of $120,000 



The whole amounting to 164,797 20 

At the same time the exchangeable value of the products of . 
the country is from the same cause, diminished to a like 
extent, at least, or 164,797 20 



Making a total annual loss of 329,594 40 

Which sum is equal to the annual interest at 6 per cent, upon an invest- 
ment of $5,493,236 66,100. Thus showing that to this extent at least, the 
present wealth of the State v/ould be advanced by the expenditure of a little 
more than $200,000. But when in addition to this, attention is called to the 
extent of the country to be benefitted, to its great agricultural capabilities, t6 
its mineral wealth and to the immense population it is capable of sustaining, 
it appears to be not only the interest but the duty of the State, to make such 
improvements, as shalll place the people of this great division of its terlitoi-y, 
as nearly on an equality with the rest of the citizens, as its resources, and the 
nature of the country will permit. i ' IL 

Of North Grand River. — The country drained by this stream is, in Its ^^ 
general character, prairie of moderate elevation, having its gently undulating * v 

surface indented with numerous streamlets whose margins are fringed with a 
thin grow^th of timber — The valley of the river is from one to five miles wide, 
terminated by banks rising boldly to the prairies, the slopes of which, are usu- 
ally covered with timber — The bottoms are mostly prairie, with a narrow strip 
of woodland bordering the river. 

The substratum of the whole of this section of country, is of the most re- 
cent coal formation, the only rocks in place, exposed by the abrasion of the 
river being the out-croppings of shale and bituminous coal, in horizontal strata. 
The immediate valley of the river is, generally, an illuvial deposite of sand, 
nearly impalpable, and forming a light clay of veiy little tenacity, the whole 
being covered with a dark vegetable mould of from two to four feet thick.— 
Its general elevation, above low water, is 22 feet, which is nearly coincident 
with the ascertained rise of the river in the highest freshets, the bottoms being 
seldom overflowed, and, never, but to a small depth. , ' '^^; 

The exceptions to this general character of the valley are in the few ihsfinces 
where it 'rises into banks of stiff clay, and in the more frequent points where 
the river inpinges against the rocky substratum of the country — The highest 
of these clay banks, of which there are 6 in the whole distance surveyed, is 
about 50 feet, and the highest of the rocky banks, of which there are '25, 
is about one hundred feet; the elevation of most of them beiilg about 
25 ft. These clay banks are interspersed with septaria, a species of cal- 
carious marl, and have imbedded in them boulders of granite, and of crys- 

6 



y 



42 

talized compact blue lime stone — Several of these banks, as well as those of 
shale exhibit an abundant effloresence of sulphate of Iron; indeed, so plentiful 
is it that it was collected by the early settlers, and used in domestic dyes — 
piesides these geological, and mineralogical indications, iron stone of several 
varities, some of which are very rich, w^as found to exist in large quantities, 
and also, on salt creek near the mouth of the river, a compact sand stone of a 
quality well adapted to the construction of heavy, and substantial masonry. 

The survey of the river w^as commenced the 18th of August last in T. 59, 
N. R. 27, W. Sec. 16 on the west fork, \\ miles from the town of Gallatin, 
and which is, apparently, the nearest accessible point on the river from that 
place — From this point to the forks, a distance of 40 miles and 4400 ft. the 
the fall is 48 ft. 11 inches — The least depth of w^ater was 9^ inches, and the 
minimum quantity 10,308 cubic feet, per minute — The natural obstructions to 
the navigation of this part of the stream consist in the trees that overhang 
its surface, and the snags that are imbedded in its channel; besides which, there 
is a dam erected about 4 miles above the forks, 4^ feet high. A descending 
navigation, in high water, for small river craft, could be effected, by removing 
the trees, and snags, at an estimated cost of $7,934, and by placing a lock to 
be built of w^ood, in the dam, it might be made navigable at full water, both 
ways for keel boats, at an additional sum of §2,400. But the course of this 
part of the stream is too crooked for steam boat navigation at any time, and 
the quantity of water is too small, except when the river is very full. 

From the forks to the mouth the distance is 69 miles 950 ft., and the fall is 
50.69 feet. The main obstruction to the navigation of this part of the river 
^exists in the falls which are situated 45 miles above the mouth. 

The other obstructions consist of snags, and a few impending trees, the 
number of the former being 564, and of the latter 184. The obstruction at 
the falls, as they are called, does not consist in the amount of fall, which is only 
1.64 ft. in 400 yds. and w^iich, at high water, would be nearly equalized with 
the rest of the river, nor is it from the unusual shallowness of the water, for 
the minimum depth found here in the channel, was 2.2 ft. which is a fraction 
greater than in some other parts of the river, but, the real difficulty consists 
m the very sudden bend which the river is here compelled to make, by hav- 
ing its previous course interrupted by one of those rocky banks of shale and 
coal heretofore referred to, and against which, from the rapidity of the current, 
a descending boat could rarely avoid being thrown — In addition to which 
the gravel, which is deposited from a creek emptying in at the head of the 
falls, and the disintegrated particles of rock, which here forms the right bank, 
and the right half of the bed of the river, have accumulated into detached 
banks in the left half of the bed of the river, rendering the channel, so very 
intricate as to make it next ^ o impossible for a boat to thread it, even should 
it escape the danger first referi'ed to. To remedy these difficulties it is pro- 
posed to construct a jettee, at such a point above the head of the falls, as shall 
give to the current such a direction as shall compel it to enter the falls, in a 
line, which shall be a prolongation of the general direction of the channel 
through them; and to construct near the foot of the falls, upon the rocky half 
of the bed of the river, and which is dry at low water, another jettee of rock, 
to the height of 4 feet, by means of vvhich, the river, when it rises, will be 
concentrated into the left half where the channel now is, and add to its depth 
instead of being spread out into a wide and thin sheet of rapid water — The 
left bank, at this place, is alluvial, and this contraction of the channel will have 
a tendency, when there is full water, to w^ear it away and again widen the 
ehannelj to guard against which, it must be protected with loose rock in the 



~in irii"ii tiiir-ii iiiirffcg 



43 

manner known as riprap ping, which should be so arranged as to make the de*' 
scent of the river, through the falls, as nearly straight as the locality will per- 
mit. As the river was not at its lowest point, during the whole time of the 
survey, below^ the forks, the minimum quantity of water in the main stream 
could not be ascertained, but it can be approximated very nearly by assuming 
the east fork to furnish as great a supply in low water aj the west, which 
would make the total quantity twice 10,308 cubic feet, or 20,616 cubic feet per 
minute. 

'J he estimated cost of removing the obstructions and making the improve- 
ments suggested in this part of the river is §19,787. 

For the whole extent of the survey the river presents; with the exceptions 
above referred to, a plane of nearly uniform inclination — Owing to the gene^ 
ral lightness of the material in which it is imbedded its banks are easily under- 
mined and bars of sand are very liable to be formed, or their position changed, 
but from the same causes the current soon deepens its channel through them, 
making the depth of the water in all the shallow places so nearly the same, 
that in each division of the river, a boat that can pass one can pass all— and 
although the average fall per mile below the forks is not greater than that of 
the more rapid parts of the Missouri,* yet, in this river the more confined and 
smaller body of water in motion, and the greater sinuosity of its course, pro- 
duces a much more gentle current. 

The sources of this river are from beyond the northern boundary of this 
State, and its confluence with the Missouri is in T. 53 N., R. 20, W. S. 10, at 
the most northerly point that that stream attains in its whole course, east* 
wardly, from the mouth of the Kansas. The countr}^ drained by it is not only 
extensive, but of a quality for agricultural purposes, not exceeded by any of 
equal extent in the whole State; and it is confidently believed that an improve- 
ment of the river, at this time, from the mouth to the forks, would be of sufii^ 
cient public advantage to induce the Legislature to make the small appropria^ 
tion necessary to carry it into effect. 

I will add, that the proper improvements for the valley of this river, and one 
which its extent and productiveness wdll one day require, is that of a canal, the 
main trunk of which shall divide at the forks and extend up the valley of either 
stream. The facilities for a work of this kind could no where be greater, nor 
the expense less. 

Of Salt River. — The survey of Salt River was commenced at the Three 
Forks, (Florida) the 30th of August, 1839, when the water w^as at a very low 
stage, at which it remained, with very little variation, during the whole of the 
subsequent month. The minimum quantity of water flowing in the stream, as 
ascertained by repeated measurements, was found to be 3085 cubic feet per 
minute, and the minimum depth of water, upon the shoals, 4 inches. The 
greatest range in the river is about 2l feet. The principal obstructions to the 
navigation of this stream consist in the frequent occurrence of shoals of rock 
and gravel, (66 in number,) besides which there'are a few impending trees, and 
near its mouth some snags, that would have to be removed. 

From the Three Forks to the mouth, a distance of 75f miles, there is 



* Note. — The average fall in Grand River is 85 in. per mile. A mile of the Missouri next abovo 
the mouth of the Osage was measured, on its south margin, and the levels taken with great care, 
and the fall was found to be 9^ inches — Another mile was also measured and levelled immediatelf 
below the mouth of Grand River, and the fall was 6^ inches. The river at the time of making both 
these measurements was nearly at its lowest stage, and judging from the rapidity of the current at 
these points compared with its general velocity, the least of these results is probably greater than iUi 
average fall per mile. 



u 

1 03,9.00 feet fall, not equally distributed, but, accumulated into rapids, hav- 
ing pools between them, nearly stagnant at low water. These pools have at 
all times a depth of from 4 to 12 feet, while the declivity of the shoals is so 
great as to discharge the water with such rapidity as to prevent any concentra- 
tion of it upon them, except at times of high water, sufficient for the passage of 
boats. Neither is the quantity of water large enough to afford a permanent 
supply to an independent canal of the dimensions necessary for the passage of 
steam boats. The only improvement of which the river is capable, is by a 
connected series of locks and dams, constructed with great care, so as to reduce 
the leakage to the lowest possible quantity. By such an improvement, it could 
be made navigable at all times when not obstructed by ice. The material ne- 
cessary to execute a work of this kind, can be easily obtained, both timber and 
rock being abundant, and convenient to the points where they would be re- 
quired to be used. The construction of locks adapted to the passage of steam 
boats, even of a small class, will, nevertheless, be attended with very conside- 
rable expense. 

j In considering the adjustment and location of the dams and locks, two plans 
suggest themselves: one to place the dam at the head of the rapid, and to locate 
the. lock at its foot, so as to include the fall in the rapid in the lift of the lock. 
This method will diminish materially the number of dams and locks, but it will 
involve the necessity of higher dams and of a connecting canal between the 
two pools; it will also add materially to the quantity of masonry in each lock, 
aiid wake it necessary to construct an abutment of the dam, which, on the other 
pj'an, would be furnished by the river wall of the lock. The other plan contem- 
plates the erection of the dam at the foot of the rapid, of sufficient elevation to 
give the required depth of water at its head, and to abut one end of the dam 
against the river w^all of the lock. This plan w^ould require a greater number 
of dams,' but much less masonry. By the ffi'st plan, the banks of the connect- 
ing canal and the w^alls of the lock would be elevated above high water — by the 
last, the lock wall would be raised g,bout 8 feet, only, above the crest of the 
dam, which would be low, and over which boats would pass at such stages of 
water as, would submerge the lock. The first plan would be the most expen- 
sive, but, also, the most perfect; on either plan, the widest place in the locality 
requiring a dam should be selected in order to give the greatest possible space 
for the passage of the stream. 

, It is proposed that the dams shall be crib- work, secured to the rocky bed of 
the river by iron bolts; the foundation to be protected by sheet pilings; the 
cribs to be filled with stone and sheeted with plank; and the whole to be tho- 
roughly gravelled with coarse river gravel. The masonry, both of the abut- 
ments ol the dams and of the locks, to be hammer-dressed range work, laid in 
water lime; the hollow quoins and coping of the locks to be cut — in addition to 
w^liich. there wiU be, on each inside face of the lock, and at equal distances from 
the hollow quoin^ two columns of cut-work, five feet wide each, extending from 
the floor to the coping, and projecting slightly beyond the general face of the 
lock, in order to give a smooth rubbing surface to the boat as it rises and falls 
in the chamber. 

Should the Legislature determine not to embark at this time in the improve- 
ment of this stream, some provision should be made to prevent any obstruction 
to its navigation by the erection of dams, without any provision for the pas- 
sage of flats and other river craft. To this there coM be no vahd objection, 
as this stream is recognized by the General Government as a navigable one, and 
has also been declaited to be so by the legislative authority of this State. 



45 

ESTIMATE. 

Minimum depth of water in pools to be 4 (eei; locks 155 feet long in tha 
clear; 31 feet wide do.; 4 feet minimum depth of water on mitre sill. 

HIGH LEVEL, WITH CONNECTING CANALS. 

Dam, average height of 1 1 feet, crib-work, sheeting, gravelling, 

&c., complete, ------ §5253 00 

Masonry in abutments, 5o4 perches, at §'4 00, - - - 2016 00 
Masonry in each lock, 3500 do. at $5 00, - - - 17500 00 
Hollow quoins, coping, wells for gate chains and columns, - 2035 00 
l^xcavation of foundation, foundation timbers and planking, pud- 
dling and embanking, - - _ . . 3238 00 
Gates and mitre sills, iron w^ork, drums, chains, friction rollers, 

cranks, &c., ------- 3250 00 



Total cost of each lock and dam, - - $33,280 00 



Total number of locks, 1 1 x §33, 280 00: = $366,080 00 

Constructing connecting canals, removing snags, &c., - 33,000 00 



Total cost high level, - . - . $390,080 00 

LOW LEVEL— DAJM AND LOCK CONNECTED. 

Dam, average lift of 9 feet — crib-work, sheeting, gravelling, 

&c., complete, -.--.-. $4171 52 

Masonry in abutments, 160 perches, $4 00, - - - 640 00 

Do. in each lock, 1472 do. 5 00, - - - 7360 00 

Hollow quoins, coping wells for gate chains and columns, - - 1250 00 

Excavation ot' foundation, foundation timbers and planking, pud- 
dling and embanking, ------ 2600 00 

Gates, mitre sills, iron w^ork, drums, chains, friction rollers, 

cranks, &c.. ------- 2250 00 



Total cost of each lock and dam, - - §18,27152 

21 locks and dams, at §18,271 52, - - . _ "'383r70rS2 

Removing trees and snags, ----- 8,00l) OO 



Total cost low level, - . - . $391,701 92 

Of the Maramec River — The survey of this river was commenced at Mas- 
sey,s Iron Works, which are situated two hundred yards below the " Head 
Spring," which is the main source of the Maramec. The quantity of water 
flowing from this spring was ascertained by measurements, taken at an unusu- 
ally low stage of water, to be 5,658 cubic feet per minute. About eight hun- 
jdreid yards below the Iron Works, the w aters of the "East Fork" are added to 
those of the spring, and the quantity is increased to 8,304 cubic feet per minute. 
In its farther progress, the river receives constant and frequent additions to its 
quantity of water, and after passing the Courtois, its volume, at ordinarily low 
water, amounts to 57,200 cubic feet. It afterrwards receives large contribu- 
tions from the Bourbeuse on the north, and from Big River on the south, besides 



46 

suppfies from many minor streams; but the river was always, during the sur- 
vey, at too full a stage, after reaching those streams, to allow of its minimum 
quantity being ascertained. It may, however, be approximated by supposing 
that, after allowing for evaporation and absorption, the quantity would be dou- 
bled, or be equal to 1 14,400 cubic feet per minute. 

From the base of the dam, at the " Head Spring," to the mouth of the Cour- 
tois, the distance is 38^ miles, and the fall 140 feet; from the mouth of the 
Courtois to the mouth of the Bourbeuse, the distance is 49f miles, and the fall 
157 feet; from the mouth of the Bourbeuse to the mouth of Big River, the dis- 
tance is 28 miles, and the fall 51i feet; and from the mouth of Big River to 
that of the Maramec, the distance is 56^ miles, and the fall 42 feet; the total 
distance being 172 miles, 1008 yards, and the total fall 390^ feet. The great- 
est fall at any one place, is at a point about 15 miles from its head, where tl»e 
descent is 6.10 feet in 950 yards, with a minimum depth of 1.20 feet. At 
Sherman's Bend, 6H miles below this, there is also a fall of 6.100 feet in 2000 
yards. The remainder of the fall is generally distributed into rapids of great 
length, giving to the current of the river, at ordinarily full water, great velo- 
city, every where, except near its mouth.* 

The bed of the river is usually composed of disintegrated particles of the 
rocks which constitute the geological formation of this region. These rocks 
are crenerally silicious limestone, intermixed with chert or horn-stone. They 
rise into high, and, frequently, perpendicular bluffs, at the foot of which, either 
on the one side or the other, the river flows, leaving, on the side opposite the 
bluffs, a narrow strip of bottom land. These bottoms, when in a state of nature, 
are covered with a thick growth of heavy timber, and their elevation is in most 
instances less than the height to which the river rises in its main freshets; the 
greatest range of which, as far as ascertained with certainty, is about 20 feet. 

The country which borders the river on either side is elevated and broken; 
and the covering of soil upon its rocky subtratum, is too slight to absorb much 
of the downfall water, which is, consequently, quickly drained into the minor 
streams and precipitated into the river, thus causing it to rise suddenly; while, 
at the same time, its fall is so great as to carry oft", as quickly, this accumula- 
tion of waters, upon the cessation of the cause that produced it. These great 
and sudden fluctuations in this river, together with its great fall, effectually pre- 
clude any improvement of its natural navigation that shall have any claims to 
permanency or utility. 

An artificial navigation could be effected by a connected series of dams and 
locks. These dams could not be raised to more than an average height of 10 
feet above the bed of the river, without great damage to all the bottom lands. 
Dams of this elevation would give to the rocks an average lift of 6 feet, upon 
the supposition that the navigation was adapted to vessels drawing 3^ feet. — 
This would require the erection of 65 dams, and the construction of the same 
number of locks; which, upon the supposition that the locks are made of di- 
mensions sufficiently large to pass the smaller class of steamboats, and built in 
the cheapest manner, of durable materials, would cost not less than $45,000 
each dam and lock, or g'2,925,000 in all. But, the frequency of these locks, 
occurring, on an average, once in every 2.5-8 miles, together with the abrupt 
curviture of the river, will prevent the economical use of steam in its naviga- 



* Note. — It was ascertained by the survey for a rail road to the Iron Mountain, that the surface 
of the water in the Maramec, at Dougherty's Ferry, twenty-one miles above its mouth, is nearly co- 
incident, at low water, with the surface of the water in the Mississippi, at St. Louis, when it is at its 
usual stage of summer navigation. 



47 

tion* The expense for a slack water navigation for keel boats, would be as 
great as that above estimated for steam boats; for the cost of the dams would 
be the same, and the diminished cost of the locks would be fully compensated 
by the expenditure necessary to construct a towing path on one side of the river 
throughout its whole extent. 

An independent canal, with its levels so adjusted as to give the greatest facil- 
ities for manufacturing purposes, would be, decidedly, the best improvement 
for the valley of this stream. This could probably be effected for $20,000 per 
mile, or for the total sum of §3,440,000. This sum is large, and, probably, be- 
yond the present ability of the country; but when the great public benefit that 
would be attained by the construction of a navigable communication to the 
mountains of iron ore that lie at the head of the river, and the mineral wealth 
that is in its vicinity, added to the immense water power that w^ould be created 
by this improvement, are considered, it is but the reasonable hope of the patriot 
that the time may soon arrive when either the capital and enterprise of indivi- 
duals, or the resources of the State, shall be directed to the prosecution of this 
work. 

It is difficult to conceive a position having greater facihties for the manufac- 
ture of iron than the one occupied by "Massey's Iron Works." They are only 
200 yards from a fountain which perpetually sends forth a volume of water, of 
nearly uniform temperature, and equal to the propelling of machinery to any 
desirable extent; and they are supplied with ore, of the richest quality, excava- 
ted from the side of a ridge that might w^ell challenge the name of mountain, 
and which is not more than 600 yards from the furnace. In procuring this ore, 
all the material excavated, with the exception of here and there a small quan- 
tity of soil that has accumulated amongst the ore at the surface, is hauled to 
the furnace and smelted, without the previous process of roasting to free it 
from its impurities, and yields 65 per cent, of pig metal, which, when manufac- 
tured into bars, forms an iron that, in useful qualities, has no superior in this 
country. The wooded country that surrounds these works, is extensive, and 
the want of fitness of the greater part of it for cultivation, will always secure to 
them an abundant supply of charcoal; in addition to which, there has been are- 
cent discovery of bituminous coal within 18 miles of the works, which is of 
good quality and supposed to be of great extent. But wdth all these facilities 
for the production of iron, these works, although directed by one of the most 
experienced, energetic and intelligent of manufacturers, are of but limited 
utility, and they supply but a small section of country, owing to the absence of 
any improvements by which the economical transportation of this heavy arti- 
cle can be effected. 

OF THE IRON MOUNTAIN RAIL ROAD. 

The Iron Mountain is situated in the county of St. Francois, upon the head 
waters of the river of that name, in Sec. 31, T. 35, N. R. 4 E. of the 5th prin- 
cipal meridian. It is 60 miles due west from the Mississippi, and 65 in a direct 
line S. 16 deg. W. from St. Louis. It is a mass of rich iron ore projected to the 
height of 205 feet upon an elevated range of country, extending from the Rocky 
Mountains to the Mississippi, and to some sections of w^hich, the name of Ozark 
Mountains has been given. This range has an elevation at the base of the 
mountain, of 695 feet abovo the Mississippi, at St. Louis; audit here forms the 
dividing high lands from wltich the waters of the St. Francois descend, south- 
w^ardly, to the Mississippi, and those of Big River pursue their tortuous course, 
northwardly, to the Maramec, and with that stream mingle with the Missis- 
sippi, abont twenty miles below the city of St. Louis. 



4S 

The indirectness of Big River will add so greatly to the length of the con- 
templated improvement as, together with the reeky character of its bluffs, ef- 
fectually to prevent the economical construction of the road along its immediate 
valley. The numerous tributaries, also, which enter this stream from either 
side, in their precipitate descent, have excavated deep ravines by which the 
whole country which borders it is broken into numberless ridges and hollows, 
whose general direction is transverse to a direct line of location for the road. — 
In addition to this, the ranges of high lands, from which these tributaries de- 
scend, are very indirect in their continuous course, and irregular in their eleva- 
tion, with summits so narrow, and slopes so broken and abrupt, as to compel a 
line of location upon them to adhere, almost rigidly, to their crests. This is 
particularly true of the main high lands, on the east side of Big River, and 
which divide its waters from those of the Mississippi. These terminate on the 
Maramec, at a point nearly due north from where they unite with the Ozark 
range; yet, between these points, they pursue a zigzag course^ running at one 
time boldly up the Mississippi, and at another, v/ith an abrupt deflection, cross- 
ing to Big River, and forcing it to change its direction for long distances; when 
again suddenly leaving it, they stretch their rocky elevation, far from either 
stream, to the height of mountain grandeur, and, throwing out numerous rami- 
fications, present no indications by which the line of their continuous prolonga- 
tion can be conjectured. 

Between the Maramec and St. Louis, the draining of the country is effected, 
mainly, by two streams, the Gravois and the Des Peres; both of which have a 
general direction, nearly at right angles, to the direct line of survey, for the 
road. These streams are deeply embedded below the general surface of the 
countr}^ which is worn into numberless i ''regularities, and, in some instances, 
excavated into deep ravines by their tributaries in their descent to them. 

It will be seen by the foregoing sketch, that the country to be traversed by 
the contemplated improvement presents neither continuous range nor valley, 
adapted to its location, and that its route is impeded by a succession of both, 
running transversely to its line of direction. To overcome these obstacles,two 
methods present themselves, both of which, according to circumstances, have 
been adopted — one by crossing the ridges, ascending to some favorable depres- 
sions in their summits, and then descending to the valley beyond; the other, 
by making a detour, turning the ridges and pursuing the valley as far as prac- 
ticable. The latter plan increases the length of the road, the former decreases 
its capacity. 

- It is a peculiarity, which attaches to all the ridges crossed by the survey, that 
their northern and eastern slopes are much more gentle than their southern and 
western; this affects, unfavorably, the capacity of the road, the greatest rate of 
ascent being, in every case, against the greatest amount of tonnage. 

The reconnoisance and surveys resulted in the adoption of the following 
route : 

Commencing in the city of St. Louis, at the intersection of Fifth and Almond 
streets, the grade of the road being established so as to coincide with the grade 
of these streets at their point of intersection; the line, passing to the left of 
Chouteau's mill, proceeds up the southerly margin of his pond, and ascends the 
valley of the stream that supplies it to a summit east of, and near to, Mr. Rus- 
sell's; it then descends to the river Des Peres, and crosses that stream near the 
residence of Mr. Carline. From the summit at Mr. Russell's to the crossing of 
the Des Peres, 3i miles, the Hne, for most of the distance, either passes through, 
or borders upon, a coal field; the distance from St. Louis to the centre of the 
field being about six miles. On this part of the route, the grades are very easy 



49 

till the Des Peres is approached, wheu the descent is at the rate of 40 fbet to 
the mile. In ascending to the coal field, the strongest grade is at the rate of 18 
feet per mile, and the whole country is of the most favorable character for thd 
construction of the road. The Des Peres is crossed by a bridge 140 feet long, 
elevated 65 feet above the bed of that stream. After crossing the Des Peres, 
the line, by a cut 1*200 feet long, and lO feet greatest depth, reaches the valley 
of the Gravois, which it ascends to a summit near Mr. Yates. This summit is 
19 miles from St. Louis, and is crossed at an elevation 185 feet above the base 
of reference, at the intersection of Almond and Fifth streets. The valley of 
the Gravois is favorable in its character, and its inclination is gentle, till tha 
summit is approached, when it becomes so steep as to compel a grade of 5'2.8 
feet per mile. Proceeding from this summit, the line descends by the valley 
of Sugar Creek to the Grand Glaze, and thence by the valley of this creek to 
the Maramec, which it crosses at Dougherty's Ferry. The valley of Sugar 
Creek falls very rapidly, and the descent along it varies from 52 to 70 feet per 
mile, the line being sustained on the rocky slopes which bound it on either side. 
From the junction of Sugar Creek with the Grand Glaze to the Maramec, the 
grades are light and the ground favorable. The Maramec is crossed by a 
bridge 400 feet long, elevated 30 ft. The distance to this point is 251 miles. 
After crossing the Maramec, the line is carried over the bottom lands, on its 
south side, till it intersects Williams' creek, near the residence of Mrs. Lamb- 
kins; it then ascends the west' fork of Williams' creek to its source, in a ridge 
which divides its waters from those of the Antire, the whole distance passed 
over to this point being 28f miles. Here the ridge presents an obstacle which 
cannot be overcome except by piercing it with a tunnel, or by means of two 
inclined planes, with stationary power; one plane being required on either side. 
Tunnelling has been adopted in this case, and in such others as occur on this 
route, where the same alternative is presented. This tunnel will be 800 feet 
long. Descending from the tunnel to the valley of the Antire, a deep ravine, 
made by one of its tributaries, is encountered and crossed, 78 feet above its 
lowest depression, by a bridge 900 feet long. The descending slope of this 
ridge is very uneven, and will involve a large amount of rock excavation. Upon 
reaching the valley of the Antire, its ascent is commenced, and pursued over 
favorable ground to its source in the ridge, dividing, at this point, the waters of 
the Antire, which falls into the Maramec, from those of Crooked Creek, which 
descend into Big River. This ridge has also to be pierced by a tunnel 975 feet 
long. Hanging on to the rocky banks of Crooked Creek, and falling at the 
rate of 70 feet per mile, the line descends to the Big River bottoms, in Siixdles. 
It then follows the valley of Big River, making occasional cut-offs, to the 
mouth of Dry Fork, about one mile south of Widman's mill. This section con- 
sists, mainly, of Big River bottoms, interspered with a few rocky bluffs, none of 
which present any serious obstacle. The mouth of Dry Fork is at the total 
distance of 52^ miles. Ascending Dry Fork, 1 miles, over extremely favora- 
ble ground, to its source, where it interlocks with Bolduc's Creek, and descend- 
ing by that creek, 3i miles, at the rate of 70 feet per mile, the hne is again on 
Big River, having effected, by this cut-off, a saving in distance, over the mean- 
derings of the river between the same points, of about 60 miles — Big River is 
crossed by a bridge 45 feet high and 200 feet long. The whole distance to this 
point is 651 miles — two miles from this crossing, the line reaches the Mineral 
Fork, and then ascends its valley and that of Fourche a Renault, to its source, 
in an elevated range of flint ridges crowned with forests of yellow pine. Here 
the line is 941 miles from St. Louis,, having pursued the valley of Mineral Fork 
and its tributary 26| miles. This section, taken as a whole, is over veryfavora- 

7 



50 

ble ground, the only obstacle presented, tending to enhance the cost of the 
work, consists in the necessity of encountering a few bluffs of rocks, and of oc- 
casionally crossing the stream, either to avoid others more extensive, or to pre- 
serve, to the line, a proper direction. 

The line is continued through the flint ridge by a tunnel 900 feet long, and 
immediately encounters a tributary of Clear Creek, and, adhering to the slope 
of the ridge on its western side, descends, at the rate of 70 feet per mile, to 
Clear Creek, and, crossing Clear Creek at an elevation ojf 34 feet, and passing 
by Mrs. Aldridge's, it reaches the west fork of Big River, near Mrs. Bryant's, 
about one mile below where it is crossed by the Courtois road. The dis- 
tance from the summit of the ridge to the crossing of Clear Creek, is 3k miles, 
and thence to Big River 2 miles. From the summit to Clear Creeli^ the line is 
upon a rocky side-hill; from Clear Creek to Big River, it passes., by an undula- 
ting grade, over elevated ground of a favorable character. This second cross- 
ing of Big River is effected by a bridge 150 feet long and 20 feet high. 

After crossing Big River, the line ascends, by easy grade, to the elevated 
plateau of Bellevue valley, Vv^hich it traverses in a direction nearly east, and 
passing about H miles south of Caledonia, and crossing Cedar and Reed Creeks, 
it ascends the valley of Saline Creek to a depression in the Ozark range, eleva- 
ted 614 feet above the base of reference. Traversing this depression, and run- 
ning in a direction a little north of east, over ground gently undulating; in 3i 
miles, the line reaches the Iron Mountain, in the county of St. Francois, cross- 
ing, in this distance, a tributary of St. Francois river. 

The total length of the rail road, from St. Louis to the Iron Mountain, by the 
located line, is 115| miles. 

In tracing this location, curves of large radii have, witlTone exception, been 
adopted. This occurs at the northern approach to the tunnel at the head of 
Crooked Creek, where a radius of 955 feet is the largest that can be obtained 
without extending the curve into the tunnel. The grades are more unfavora- 
ble, there being, in five different localities, a departure from a horizontal line at 
the rate of 70 feet per mile. The whole extent of this grade is 11| miles; the 
greatest in any one place being 3 2 miles; and, in every case, the plane is either 
so long, or so unfavorably situated, as to preclude the momentum of the train 
from entering, as an element, into the calculations, as diminishing the power 
necessary to overcome its ascent. This grade, consequently^ estabhshes the 
limit of the capacity of the road, which it reduces to a Httle less than one-fifth 
of that of a level one; — for, the resistance from friction being taken at 1.280 
of the insistent weight, or eight lbs. per ton, an engine weighing ten tons, and 
which would be able to drag 300 tons on a level, would only be equal to the 
hauling of 56 tons, exclusive of its own weight, up a pla¥ie of .70 feet per mile^ 
To make a road of this character at all efficient, engines of the largest class 
must be used upon it, and its superstructure must necessarily be. pf the strong- 
est and most stable character. , iHf Ji-f 

The plan proposed, is that of longitudinal bearing timbers, having a contin- 
uous support upon broken stone, connected by cross ties of wood, and capped 
with an iron rail weighing 40 lbs. to the yard. From St. Louis to the Maramec, 
25 miles, a double track is contemplated; for the remainder of the distance, a. 
single one, with occasional turn-outs. ,-, 

The law, under which this survey was executed, directs that such survey 
shall be made by the nearest and best route from St. Louis to the Iron Moi^n- 
tain, in the county of St. Francois, but prescribing, also, this additional condi- 
tion, that it shall pass through the mineral region between those points. In 
this .particular, this survey and location fully accomplishes the intentioA of the 



Il\ 



51 

Legislature, by passing 41 miles, centrally, through that region. In addition 
to which, it traverses the St. Louis coal field nearly two miles, and the pine 
forest, where it crosses it in Washington county, six miles. This forest has an 
average width of eight miles, and it is reported to extend, in a southwesterly 
direction from v/here it is crossed by the line, quite to the confines of the State. 
In it, and in the vicinity of the line, saw-mills, propelled both by steam and by 
water, are already erected; and the lumber produced by them wagoned to the 
Mississippi, and delivered in St. Louis at an expense for transportation of about 
$15 00 per thousand. By the rail road, this' expense, at the rate of five cents 
per ton per mile, would be $7 50, which would enable this lumber to be fur- 
nished in St. Louis at a cheaper rate than any with which that market has been 
heretofore supplied. On this account, it would not only be in demand for all 
the purposes for which yellow pine is deemed the best material, but it would, in 
many cases, be substituted for more appropriate lumber. 

The following is a synopsis of the estimate of the quantity of work to be done 
to construct the road, and of the machinery to be furnished to put the same in 
operation. In affixing the prices for labor and materials, regard has been had 
to the enhanced value of both, consequent upon the increased demand that 
would be created by the v/ork, during its progress of construction. The prices 
per cubic yard for the excavation of earth, and for embankment, varies, ac- 
cording to local circumstances, from l2 to 30 cents; excavation of rock from 
one dollar to one twenty-five; masonry from two to eight dollars per perch; 
and bridge superstructure from 20 to 25 dollars per lineal foot. The arch of 
the interior of the tunnels is supposed to be made of brick, at $15 per thou* 
sand; the springing walls, of rock, at $4 per perch, and these two items, toge- 
ther with the excavation, which will amount to ten cubic yards per foot lineal, 
is estimated to cost forty dollars per foot. The masonry at the entrance of the 
tunnels will be hammer-dressed range work, with cut coping and rusticated pi- 
lasters, jambs and voussoirs; the cost of which, to each tunnel, is estimated at 
$6,340. '^'.•.'•'■' 

SYNOPSIS OF ESTIMATE, 

Grabbing and clearing, ----- $11,600 00 

Excavation of earth and embankment, 3,521,797 cubic yds., 581,219 78 

Do. of rock, 330,630 do. 412,237 50 

Rock protection, or rip-rapping, 14,000 do. 7,000 OO 

Masonry, 17,392 perches, 129,103 90 

Bridge superstructure, 2,550 lineal ft., 58,050 00 

Three tunnels, whole length, 2,920 do. 135,820 00 

Superstructure, single track, il5| miles, at $9,1 00, ], 053,325 00 

Do. additional track to Maramec, 25 do. $9,1 00, 227,500 00 

Do. side tracks at turn-outs, 5 do. " 45,500 00 

Turnouts and Revolving Platforms, - - - 16,000 00 

Depots and Water Stations, - - - - 52,250 00 

Public and Private Road Crossings, - - - 4,4 17 00 

Fencing and Damages, - - . . . 20,000 00 

Engines, Cars and Coaches, - - - - 1 88,700 00 



Total, .... $2,942,723 18 



The annual interest on this sum, at 6 per cent, is - $176,563 39 



52 

The result of experience in the use of rail roads in this country, shows that 
the expense of keeping up a road and its machinery, together with cost of 
transportation and superintendence, amounts, when a business sufficiently 
large is done to sustain the work, to 60 per cent, of the gross receipts. This 
is the result, not only upon the best constructed and best managed roads in this 
country; but in Belgium, as stated by the Chevalier de Gerstner, it amounts to 
65i per cent, of the gross income; and on the Liverpool and Manchester road, 
according to the official statements of that company, the gross receipts for the 
year terminating the 30th June, 1 836, and the fourth year of its operation, 
were £ 192,0 1 8, and the expenses £1 16,442, which is 60^ percent, of the gross 
receipts. 

Assuming, then, that the expenses of the road now under consideration will 
be 60 per cent, of its gross receipts, and that the cost will be as above estima- 
ted, $2,942,723 1 8, the annual receipts must be $44 1 ,408 47 to produce a clear 
income of §176,563 39, or 6 per cent, on the capital invested; and it is be- 
lieved not to be prudent to base any calculations upon the probability of pro- 
curing money at a less rate of interest. 

In estimating the sources from which this sum is to be derived, it is neces- 
sary to consider the enlarged ability of the country, consequent upon the con- 
struction of this work. From the increased facilities and diminished cost of 
transportation, the production of lead would be quickly doubled, and its manu- 
facture into shot, sheet lead and lead pipe would be introduced upon the water 
courses traversed by the road. The pine forests will contribute largely to the 
tonnage of the road, while value will be given, and population added to an ex- 
tensive tract of country hitherto esteemed nearly worthless. The coal fields 
would be explored, not only for fuel for domestic purposes and the workshops 
of the trades, but, also, for the smelting and manufacture of iron, and the crea- 
tion of gas. The iron which is found scattered along the route of the road, and 
that immense accumulation of ore forming the mountain, will attract the capi- 
talist, excite the skill of the artizan and the enterprise of the merchant, and sti- 
mulate the energies, and reward the labors, of all the producing classes. The 
addition to the wealth, to the population, and to the production and consump- 
tion of the country, would swell the amount of tonnage, while the necessities 
of frequent intercommunication would give to the road a large amount of trans- 
portation of persons, which would be farther increased by numbers of the 
scientific and the curious that the mountain would constantly attract to it. 

It is, therefore, estimated that, upon the completion of the work, there will 
be transported upon it 6000 tons of lead, an average distance of 75 miles, at 
$3,75 per ton. -..--.. $22,500 00 
Three millions feet of lumber,anaverageof ninety miles, at $7,50 

perM,, - - - - - - - 22,500 Oo 

Four thousand tons provisions and merchandize, an average dis- 
tance of eighty miles, at $5 per ton, - - - , - 20,000 00 
Coal consumed in St. Louis, in domestic purposes, in smith shops, 
in furnaces, and manufactures of iron, in stationary steam en- 
gines, and in the creation of gas, 1,000,000 bushels, carried six 
miles, at H cents per bushel, . . . - 15,000 00 
The transportation of persons for all distances, is assumed to equal 
twenty-five per day, each way, over the whole road, which is 
fi'ty passengers per day for 365 days, at $5,75 each, - - 104,937 50 
Transportation of the mail, - ... - 5,000 00 

Making, derived from other sources than the production of iron, 

the sum of --->... f 189,937 50 



53 

Which deducted from the gross rerenue require4 - - 441,403 47 



Leaves to be created by the transportation of iron, and of all ar- 
ticles necessary- to its manufacture, the sum of - - §251,460 97 
In order to ascertain the quantity of iron that will have to be manufactured 
annually, so that its transportation, and that of all other articles necessary to 
its production, shall yield to the road a revenue equal to this deficiency, it be- 
comes necessary to determine the probable point of its manufacture, and where 
the cost of its production and dehvery in market, will be reduced to a minimum. 
The manufacture of a ton of iron consumes, throughout the whole process, 
five hundred bushels of charcoal, or, when the hot blast is used, three tons of 
bituminous coals. The expense of charcoal, together with the immense quan- 
tity required, forbids its use when a large amount of iron is to be produced, and 
mineral coal must be resorted to. Of this coal, there is no known field nearer 
the mountain than that through which the road passes, six miles from St. Louis, 
and 109 from the mountain. The cost of transporting three tonsof coal to the 
mountain, 109 miles, at five cents per ton per mile, is - - §16 35 
The cost of transporting one ton of iron from the mountain to St. Louis, 

1 15 miles, at the same rate, is - - • . . 5 75 



Making the total cost of transportation per ton of iron, - - $22 lO 

In addition to this, the expense of its production, at the mountain, will be in- 
creased by the necessity of using steam instead of water as the propelling power 
of the machinery employed in its manufacture. This difference is stated by 
the directors of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, to amount to §S*3 
per horse power per annum, where the coai used for generating steam costs 
two doUai's per ton. 

It, in the next place, becomes necessary to enquire whether the ore cannot, 
with more economy, be transported, on the road, to some suitable locality 
where water power, sufficient for all purposes, can be commanded, and where 
coal can be conveniently had. In this view of the subject, the extreme rich- 
ness of the ore has a favorable influence. This ore yields, on analysis, from 75 
to SO per cent, of iron: and it is believed that, practically, on a large scale, the 
product will not be less than 45 per cent, of bar iron; which would require th© 
transportation of 2.2'2 tons of ore for ever^' ton of iron produced. 

For the purpose of erecting furnaces and machinery for the manufacture of 
iron, a position ever\' way desirable is afforded where this road crosses the 
Maramec. The banks of the river are high, the bottoms elevated and exten- 
sive, and the water abundant. Its value as a manufacturing point is also en- 
hanced by the consideration that every artizan and laborer could be provided 
with a house and lot, sufficiently large to furnish a good garden, by means of 
"which the cost of living would be cheapened, and a consequent economy in the 
production ci all manufactured articles would be effected. This point is 90 
mues from the mountain, 18 from the coal field, and 25 from St. Louis. 

The cost of the transportation necessary to the production, at this point, of 
one ton of iron, and delivering it in St Louis, will be from the foregoing data, 
as follows: 
For 2.22 tons ore, carried ninety miles, at five cts. per ton per 

mile, - - ' - - - . - §9 99 

For three tons coal, carried nineteen miles, at five cts. per ton per mile, 2 85 . 
For one do. iron do. 25 do. do. do. do. 1 25 

Total, - . - - - |14 09 



54 

The cost of transportation, per ton, upon the supposition that the manufac- 
ture was carried on at the monntain, was found to be - - $22 10 

Difference in transportation, per ton, in favor of the position at the 

Maramec, - . . , _ . - $8 01 

Assuming, then, that the manufacture of the iron, through its different stages 
to that of bars, will be at the Maramec, and that the revenue, per ton, to the 
road, for transportation, will be as above estimated,the total annual amount of iron 
necessary to be produced to make up the whole deficiency of revenue, as esti- 
mated, will be .^251,460 97-^-14,09, or 17,846| tons. The pigs, made from the 
ore of the Iron Mountain, will lose about 25 per cent, in their conversion into 
bars; and to make 17,846 tons of bar iron would, therefore, require 23,795 tons 
of pig metal, to produce which; would keep in constant operation twelve blast 
furnaces, yielding forty tons of pigs per week, or 2,000 tons per annum. Each 
of these iurnaces, together with the forges, rolling mills, and other machinery 
necessary to convert the pigs into bars, will not cost less than $50,000; or 
$•600,000 in all. 

The State owns no part of the mountain, neither can it exercise any control 
over the quantity of iron to be produced. This must all be left to individual 
enterprise, and it appears, therefore, almost indispensable to insure a sufficient 
and certain supply of this article to the road, that the persons engaged in its 
manufacture, should, also, be largely interested in the improvement by which 
its transportation is to be effected, and that the State should not, in any event, 
do more than give its aid, by a liberal subscription to the stock of such an 
association, as might, in good faith, undertake its construction. 

The maps and profiles of the survey for the Iron Mountain Rail Road, and 
for the Salt River improvement, have been completed, and those of the other 
surveys are in progress and will be finished with all possible expedition. Theso 
will present a minute delineation of the topography of the country explored for 
the route for the rail road, and of the valleys of the different streams surveyed. 

OF THE OTHER DUTIES DEVOLVED UPON THE CHIEF ENGINEER. 

Section 5 of the Internal Improvement Law, provides, "That it shall be the 
duty of the Chief Engineer to cause to be compiled, on a suitable scale, a large 
and correct map of this State, showing thereon, in a correct and minute man- 
ner, the geographical, topographical and geological features of the country, to- 
gether with marginal notes of proper tabular form, containing all such informa- 
tion as may be considered useful to the citizen, or tending to the development 
of the resources of the State." 

By permission of the Surveyor General of this District, to whom early ap- 
plication was made for that purpose, copies have been taken of all surveys of 
public lands within this State, that have been returned to his office; these, to- 
gether with such additional information as has been obtained by surveys made 
by this department, and by the answers received, in part, to the queries ad- 
dressed to every Postmaster v/ithin the State, (a copy of which is hereto an- 
nexed, rnarked B.) are being compiled in a sectional map of great accuracy^ 
and on which, also, all confirmed claims will be delineated. It is proper to re- 
mark, that the survey of the boundaries of those counties that are bounded by 
minor water courses and by high lands, and dividing ridges not having been 
made, it is impossible to delineate their limits except approximately, and the 
suggestion is here made, whether it would not be advisable, not only on this 



account, but also for consideration affecting the administration of the laws, that 
the duty of having these surveys made should be imperative upon all counties 
thus situated. 

Article 2, section 6, provides, that "In the office of the Chief Engineer shall be 
daily kept a diary of regular meterological tables." The performance of this duty 
would have compelled the addition of another member to the corps of -engineers, 
which, together with the purchase of the necessary instruments, would have 
materially diminished the amount of the appropriation, which, it was early an- 
ticipated, would be barely sufficient to complete the surveys, &c., directed to 
be made. This duty has, therefore, been omitted. 

In performing the duty devolved upon the Chief Engineer, by that part of 
the 4th section requiring him "to recommend what, in his opinion, may be ne- 
cessary to the welfare of the State," he begs leave to say, that he believes the 
interest of the State, and the welfare of all, could in no way be so effectually 
promoted as by carrying out the enlightened and patriotic intention of the peo- 
ple of this State, who, in framing their constitution of government, were care- 
ful so to constitute it as not only to afford equal protection to all, but to secure, 
also, as far as possible to the same exertion, industry and economy in one sec- 
tion of its territory, the same remuneration that it obtains in another, by de- 
claring, in that instrument, that "works of internal improvement shall forever 
be encouraged by the government of the State." This injunction upon the le- 
gislative action of the State, is of twenty years standing, and, as yet, it has not, 
within all its borders, any w^ork of internal improvement; — not a single obstruc- 
tion has been removed to the navigation of any of its waters; — its streams, ex- 
cept in a few instances, are without bridges, and its roads are as nature made 
them. 

The great elements of wealth are the productive energies of nature, aided 
and modified by, and combined with, human industry. The ricli prairie, the 
timber of the forest, the power that in the rivers is running to waste with a 
perpetual flow, the mines and minerals that abound in the earth — all are value- 
less unless combined with the labor, and modified by the intelligence, of man. 
And it is not enough for the State that she has a domain more extensive than 
any other in the Union, nor that her soil is more fertile, and her mineral wealth 
far greater, nor that her rivers are the fathers of waters; — all these natural ad- 
vantages are but additional inducements to the exercise of that constitutional 
duty, which, by reducing the cost of transportation, and facihtating intercom- 
munication, shall draw within its borders the industrious of every country, and 
lead to the cultivation of all its soil and the development of all its resources. 
Very respectfullv, your ob't. serv't., 

WM. H. MORELL, Chief Engineer. 

City of Jefferson, Dec. 15th, 1840. 



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